Quadsys Five hacking fraud trial set for mid-December

The fraud case against the Quadsys Five accused of hacking into a rival security reseller’s systems is due to start in earnest on 14 December.

As we revealed last month, Quadsys owner Paul Streeter, director Alistair Barnard, account manager Steve Davies and in-house security consultant Jon Townsend were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

At the same time, Paul Cox, MD at the Oxfordshire-based security outfit was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and blackmail.

A clerk at Oxford Crown Court confirmed a plea and case management hearing is set for 14 December.

He told us that today’s prelim hearing was for admin purposes, and included looking again at the bail conditions, which changed as the case was moved from Banbury Magistrates court.

If the men plead not guilty, the case will be heard at trial next year. If they plead guilty, a sentencing hearing will be scheduled.

The five are alleged to have plundered a rival’s database for customer data and sensitive pricing information.

They were first arrested in March by Thames Valley Police in conjunction with the National Crime Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Customers of Quadsys include Leeds United FC, Derry City Council, the ASA and private institution Cokethorpe School. ®