Blackmailing IT wizard deserves his sentence says judge

Read, of Butt Lane, Lutterworth, Leics, even sent ominous emails to himself in a bid to cover his tracks.

And at one point he phoned the police and claimed he had been trailed home by a sinister figure.

“That was obviously a fabrication and an attempt to disguise the fact that he was the blackmailer,” explained the judge.

He was jailed for seven and a half years at Leicester Crown Court in February after admitting blackmail and separate offences of theft and fraud.

His case reached the Appeal Court today as lawyers challenged his punishment, claiming it was far too tough.

The court heard Read was rumbled after he was seconded to another firm and Mr Duffin discovered incriminating items in his desk.

The aerospace company’s troubles had started soon after Read began working there.

“There was an outbreak of malware across the company’s computer net- work,” with porn images randomly appearing on staff computer screens.

Read was tasked with tackling the problem, which he seemed to achieve, and was soon regarded as a “trusted employee”.

But, by January last year, malware was again suspected, and staff began receiving threatening emails soon afterwards.

“There was a powerful inference that Read was also responsible for the malware attack,” said the judge.

Read’s legal team claimed his sentence should be cut in light of his guilty pleas and previous good name.

Mrs Justice Simler said Read had shown strong self-destructive tendencies and “presented something of an enigma”.

But the judge ruled: “A severe sentence was called for in this case, and one that reflected the necessary elements of deterrence.

“We are satisfied that the total sentence of seven and a half years was appropriately severe, and fully justified and proportionate to the offending.”

Mrs Justice Simler, who was sitting with two other senior judges, concluded: “This appeal is accordingly dismissed.”