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Detective agency 'paid to spy' Detective agency 'paid to spy'
(about 5 hours later)
A private detective firm earned tens of thousands of pounds by hacking into people's computers and bugging telephones, a court has heard.A private detective firm earned tens of thousands of pounds by hacking into people's computers and bugging telephones, a court has heard.
Active Investigation Services (AIS) had a number of "lucrative sidelines" under the title "Hackers Are Us", Southwark Crown Court was told.Active Investigation Services (AIS) had a number of "lucrative sidelines" under the title "Hackers Are Us", Southwark Crown Court was told.
These included using "Trojan" viruses to enter computers and hi-tech devices to bug phones, the prosecution claimed.These included using "Trojan" viruses to enter computers and hi-tech devices to bug phones, the prosecution claimed.
Five men associated with the agency deny a total of 15 charges.Five men associated with the agency deny a total of 15 charges.
One of those accused is American banking heir Matthew Mellon, 43, who the prosecution claim paid AIS to hack into the e-mails of his estranged wife prior to their divorce.One of those accused is American banking heir Matthew Mellon, 43, who the prosecution claim paid AIS to hack into the e-mails of his estranged wife prior to their divorce.
The court was told that Mr Mellon, a multi-millionaire from Belgravia, central London, asked Hackers Are Us to snoop on spouse Tamara, head of the Jimmy Choo shoe empire.The court was told that Mr Mellon, a multi-millionaire from Belgravia, central London, asked Hackers Are Us to snoop on spouse Tamara, head of the Jimmy Choo shoe empire.
'Documents found''Documents found'
Miranda Moore QC, prosecuting, told the court that AIS "carried out bog standard or the usual work a detective agency does" but also "had a number of very lucrative sidelines".Miranda Moore QC, prosecuting, told the court that AIS "carried out bog standard or the usual work a detective agency does" but also "had a number of very lucrative sidelines".
The agency's alleged illegal activities brought in tens of thousands of pounds from some clients, she said.The agency's alleged illegal activities brought in tens of thousands of pounds from some clients, she said.
She (Nagina Kay) became aware of odd things happening including an indication to her that her phone line was being tampered with Prosecutor Miranda Moore QC Heir 'hired firm to spy on wife'She (Nagina Kay) became aware of odd things happening including an indication to her that her phone line was being tampered with Prosecutor Miranda Moore QC Heir 'hired firm to spy on wife'
Documents found by police during their investigation showed how the firm charged up to £7,000 a month for phone bugging or hacking into a computer, and £2,000 to obtain details about a bank account, Ms Moore told the court.Documents found by police during their investigation showed how the firm charged up to £7,000 a month for phone bugging or hacking into a computer, and £2,000 to obtain details about a bank account, Ms Moore told the court.
The jury of five woman and seven men heard how the agency used "Trojan" computer viruses, which were hidden inside emails and attacked computers when opened, allegedly created by American-based IT specialist Marc Caron.The jury of five woman and seven men heard how the agency used "Trojan" computer viruses, which were hidden inside emails and attacked computers when opened, allegedly created by American-based IT specialist Marc Caron.
Hi-tech devices used to bug phones were installed by interception specialist Michael Hall, the court was told.Hi-tech devices used to bug phones were installed by interception specialist Michael Hall, the court was told.
Prosecutors said a number of them were fitted to BT's telegraph polls and inside junction boxes, but BT eventually hid a camera in one of the boxes and caught him at work. Prosecutors said a number of them were fitted to BT's telegraph poles and inside junction boxes, but BT eventually hid a camera in one of the boxes and caught him at work.
"He looked for all the world like a BT engineer. If you saw him at the roadside you probably would not think anything of it," said Ms Moore."He looked for all the world like a BT engineer. If you saw him at the roadside you probably would not think anything of it," said Ms Moore.
American banking heir Michael Mellon is one of five men on trialAmerican banking heir Michael Mellon is one of five men on trial
She said one of AIS's customers was international transport company chief Charles Kay who paid the agency to spy on a business competitor and his former wife, Nagina, after she launched divorce proceedings.She said one of AIS's customers was international transport company chief Charles Kay who paid the agency to spy on a business competitor and his former wife, Nagina, after she launched divorce proceedings.
When her marriage to Mr Kay began to break down in 2004 she "became aware of odd things happening including an indication to her that her phone line was being tampered with and that she was being followed", Ms Moore said.When her marriage to Mr Kay began to break down in 2004 she "became aware of odd things happening including an indication to her that her phone line was being tampered with and that she was being followed", Ms Moore said.
Mr Kay, head of Slough-based Kay O'Neill Ltd, also paid the agency to snoop on a rival logistics company based in Germany and Hong Kong, the court was told.Mr Kay, head of Slough-based Kay O'Neill Ltd, also paid the agency to snoop on a rival logistics company based in Germany and Hong Kong, the court was told.
Jurors also heard another of the agency's clients was Anthony Walters, head of West 1 Bathrooms, who paid the agency to hack into his estranged wife's laptop prior to their divorce.Jurors also heard another of the agency's clients was Anthony Walters, head of West 1 Bathrooms, who paid the agency to hack into his estranged wife's laptop prior to their divorce.
Large investigationLarge investigation
Mr Mellon denies conspiring to cause unauthorised modification of computer material between 1 July 2004 and 4 February 2005.Mr Mellon denies conspiring to cause unauthorised modification of computer material between 1 July 2004 and 4 February 2005.
In the dock with Mr Mellon are ex-policemen Scott Gelsthorpe, 32, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, who helped run AIS and David Carroll, 58, of Highgate, north London, who also played a role in AIS.In the dock with Mr Mellon are ex-policemen Scott Gelsthorpe, 32, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, who helped run AIS and David Carroll, 58, of Highgate, north London, who also played a role in AIS.
Mr Carroll's computer-expert son Daniel Carroll, 36, from Westminster, London, who ran his own company above the agency's premises and Maurice Kennedy, 58, of Barnet, north London, another customer accused of using the agency's alleged illegal services, are also on trial.Mr Carroll's computer-expert son Daniel Carroll, 36, from Westminster, London, who ran his own company above the agency's premises and Maurice Kennedy, 58, of Barnet, north London, another customer accused of using the agency's alleged illegal services, are also on trial.
They variously deny 15 counts of conspiracy alleging fraud, the unauthorised modification of computer material, the unlawful interception of computer material, and criminal damage.They variously deny 15 counts of conspiracy alleging fraud, the unauthorised modification of computer material, the unlawful interception of computer material, and criminal damage.
Prosecutors said 30 people were arrested in connection with the police investigation into the activities of AIS.Prosecutors said 30 people were arrested in connection with the police investigation into the activities of AIS.
The court was told that some had been dealt with, others had pleaded guilty and were awaiting sentence, some were still to stand trial and there had been no action against the rest.The court was told that some had been dealt with, others had pleaded guilty and were awaiting sentence, some were still to stand trial and there had been no action against the rest.
The trial was adjourned until Thursday.The trial was adjourned until Thursday.