Travel agent hacking twist

A HOBART travel agent who admitted hacking into a rival’s online booking system will not call evidence in mitigation, the Supreme Court in Hobart has heard during the matter’s 45th appearance.

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

Before Acting Justice David Porter yesterday, Levett’s lawyer Phillip Zeeman said he had been instructed on Wednesday that Levett would neither give nor call evidence as part of her sentencing hearing.

Crown prosecutor Jackie Hartnett said the defence’s decision to not call any witnesses meant the state would now give evidence in an attempt to prove Levett’s motivation in accessing the system was to gain a commercial advantage.

“We didn’t think the case would take this turn today,” Ms Harnett said.

“Our facts weren’t disputed — the only reasonable inference was that she was seeking an advantage.”

She said limited weight should be given to Levett’s guilty plea because it came only one day before her trial was due to start.

“The material on her com- puter was extensive and damning,” she said.

Ms Hartnett said the matter had appeared in court 45 times.

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 Ms Levett used the Tramada logon and password of a former Travel Studio employee — who had moved to Andrew Jones Travel — to access her rival’s 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.

Mr Zeeman had previously said she did not use the information to her competitive advantage. He said Levett was deeply sorry for her actions.

Acting Justice Porter adjourned the case until November 10.

Levett’s bail was continued.