Student, 18, in court over cyber attack on Amazon

A TEENAGE student has appeared in court charged with supplying computer software behind a string of highprofile cyber attacks against some of the world’s biggest companies.

Jack Chappell, from Stockport, is accused of running an online business supplying software used to attack the websites of firms including Amazon, Vodafone and Natwest.

The 18-year-old appeared at Manchester magistrates’ court on Tuesday charged with four offences, including conspiracy to commit an unauthorised act or acts with intent to impair the operation of a computer or computers.

The teenager was charged following an investigation led by the West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit, assisted by Israeli Police, the FBI and Europol’s Cybercrime Centre.

Prosecutors allege Mr Chappell supplied software used in denial of service attacks, which crash websites by flooding them with huge volumes of data.

West Midlands police said Mr Chappel also allegedly attacked the websites of T-mobile, EE, Vodafone, O2, BBC, BT, Amazon, Netflix, Virgin Media and the National Crime Agency.

Magistrates adjourned the case to Manchester Crown Court on July 26.