Call for work orders for hacking rival

COMMUNITY service would be an appropriate sentence for a Hobart travel agent who admitted hacking into a rival’s booking system, her lawyers have told the Supreme Court.

Travel Studio boss LeeAnne Marie Levett, 51, of Howden, has pleaded guilty to 48 counts of unauthorised access of a computer.

Levett and her husband Simon Levett were joint owners of The Travel Studio in Salamanca Square, specialising in leisure and corporate bookings. Mr Levett is not accused of any wrongdoing.

In July 2011, the University of Tasmania started a tender process for its staff travel.

The Travel Studio signed up to the tender process, as did rival agency Andrew Jones Travel.

The court heard both agencies used the same software system, known as Tramada.

The Crown alleged Levett used the Tramada log-on and password of a former Travel Studio employee — who was now working at Andrew Jones Travel — to access her rival’s the sensitive business records.

The court heard after the agencies were declared joint winners of the UTAS account, Levett continued to access her rival’s system in a failed bid to win greater market share.

Before Acting Justice David Porter yesterday morning, Levett’s lawyer, Phillip Zeeman, said she had first logged on to the Andrew Jones account out of “curiosity and stickybeaking” and she did not use the information to her competitive advantage.

Mr Zeeman said a report by Dr Marie-louise Craske showed Levett was suffering a psychological disorder at the time of the offending, which should be considered to reduce her moral culpability.

He said Levett was deeply sorry for her actions and the impact they had had on Andrew Jones Travel.

Mr Zeeman said Levett had been involved in a variety of charity work over a long period of time, including working as a volunteer for the Ronald McDonald Charity Ball committee for almost 15 years.

He said because no harm was intended and there was no personal gain to Levett by accessing her rival’s information, a sentence of community service for denunciation and deterrence should be considered.

Crown prosecutor Jackie Hartnett said she would seek to dispute some of the matters put forward by Mr Zeeman including the issue of moral culpability and Levett’s remorse.

Acting Justice Porter adjourned the case until September 21 for directions. Levett’s bail was continued.