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Man had 664 radio spy bugs
14/ 5/2008
A MAN was found to have 664 radio spy bugs in his home following a police raid.
Forty more of the 2p-sized listening devices were also discovered half-assembled when officers and representatives of communications watchdog, Ofcom, turned up at Steven Croston’s home on Hazelhurst Road, Ashton.
If undetected, the haul could have netted him more than £7,000 profit when sold on an internet auction site.
Tameside Magistrates’ Court heard that the 49 year old had already sold 275 of the cube-shaped bugs on eBay over 15 months, one bug netting him a profit of around £10 each.
It is illegal to use a radio frequency transmitter without a licence and Croston admitted contravening the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 and the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000.
The bugs signal operated mainly in the 100-108 FM band and could prove dangerous to aircraft if pointed skywards.
Ofcom prosecutor Lester Maddrell said: "The aggravating features were that there was the potential for aircraft interference and the fact that these activiites were carried out on a considerable scale after warnings were given."
Ofcom discovered Croston’s activities after checking on eBay and sent him several warning emails over four months. They went to his home on 17 October and while there Croston returned and co-operated with the investigators.
Croston told the court he had not replied to warning emails through the eBay messaging system as they did not appear genuine. Although he admitted when questioned by the chairman of the bench that he could have made a phone call to verify them.
"If I went to that ‘url’ (website address) I was afraid I would have infected my computer," he said. "A lot of people are selling these bugs. I thought it was one of a dozen other sellers who had set this up to scare others away so they could have the market to themselves."
He admitted he had been ‘stupid and naive’.
Croston must perform 60 hours unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order and pay £250 costs. Magistrates also ordered the bugs be forfeited and destroyed.
Most recent 2 of 3 user comments
Anyway, there isn't much harm in these devices. I am sure I used to have a pen which did the same when I was in primary school.
15/05/2008 at 10:35
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