A cyber security expert hacked into the online email, social media, and cloud storage accounts of hunt officials nationwide - leading to thousands of their members' details being leaked online, a court heard.
Abi Waddell had a background in corporate investigations and has previously worked with police and the National Crime Agency. But magistrates were told the animal rights sympathizer put her cyber sleuthing skills to use in a 'misguided' attempt to expose illegal hunting.
"This defendant had no lawful authority to access any of these accounts. All the victims only became aware when confidential details from those accounts were posted online," said prosecutor Jane Cooper.
Among those who were compromised by her actions were Sophie Knibb, kennel huntsman with the Westerby Bassett Hounds; Emma Bailey, secretary of the Taunton Vale Harriers; Charlotte Thorneycroft, joint master of the South Dorset hunt; Lynda Carlisle, secretary of the Llanwnnen Farmers Hunt; and Joanna Dakin, who ran the Hunting Kind website.
Miss Knibbs raised the alarm after discovering details of her members' names and addresses posted on an anti-hunting website. The complainant went to Leicestershire police who discovered her accounts had been accessed from a Virtual Private Network which hides the real user's computer IP address.
The case was then transferred to the South West Cyber Crime Unit based in Bristol, who pinpointed Waddell's address and carried out a search. Officers found an Asus laptop containing files listing email and social media accounts belonging to hunt staff complete with usernames and passwords.
"It felt like being burgled, like someone had ransacked my life," said Mrs Thorneycroft after discovering records relating to 1000 of her hunt's members had been posted on an animal rights group website.
All five of the six victims named at Bath Magistrates' Court reported being 'worried, mortified and embarrassed'.
"Miss Knibbs said it was a massive violation of her privacy. She was worried her home and kennels were under surveillance," added Ms Cooper.
In each case malicious telephone calls were made or threatening letters sent. In one instance excrement was sent to a private home address. All data breaches had to be reported to the Office of Information Commissioner -who opted not to impose fines given circumstances.
"My client was driven by desire to expose illegal hunting... However there was no malicious intent on part nor financial motive for actions," said Jim Meyer defending Waddell.
A report stated Waddell diagnosed autistic having problems normal social reciprocity interaction but never considered use published data could put towards harm others involved hunts affected breaches caused distress anxiety high number individuals over long period time persistent actions aggravated situation further according presiding magistrate Victoria Castell sentencing four months imprisonment suspended year community work unpaid hours ordered fine costs destruction personal data contained device still owned by defendant avoiding jail family care responsibilities disproportionate effect would have otherwise faced incarceration terms more serious charge withdrawn earlier hearing intending impair operation computer carrying sentence five years jail dropped prior proceedings concluding matter resolved current standing judgment rendered accordingly final disposition case closed successful prosecution achieved through diligent efforts investigating authorities pursuing justice behalf all parties impacted incident transpired during timeframe specified accusations levied against perpetrator ultimately held accountable transgressions committed throughout duration illicit activities engaged therein legally binding outcome determined court law jurisdiction overseeing trial process conducted adherence established protocols governing judicial system applicable statutes regulations enforced uniformly across board ensuring fair equitable treatment defendants plaintiffs alike within confines legal framework designed uphold integrity enforceability decisions reached bench ruling capacity authorized adjudicator appointed oversee administration justice relevant context specific circumstances surrounding litigation presented forum consideration deliberation pertinent issues raised evidence submitted testimony heard witnesses called testify under oath subject cross-examination opposing counsel representing respective interests clients involved dispute resolution mechanism 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