Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor might have worked for Robin Hood, but it landed New Zealand hacker Thomas Gawith in court on six charges of computer crime.
Thomas Gawith, 21, from Manawatu, was sentenced today on one of the six charges to 80 hours community work and 12 months supervision, including drug and alcohol counselling.
Following reports Gawith has made improvements to his life, Judge Les Atkins said Gawith avoided a prison term because he did not benefit financially from the offending and the money had been returned to the victims.
Prosecutor Sergeant Johnny Ireland claimed the defendant had purchased access codes for Kiwibank accounts and using a computer at a house where he was staying in Tauranga had taken money from those who had it and given it to those who didn't, The Manawatu Standard reported.
On June 7 last year Gawith had taken a total of about $7,700 from three accounts. The next day he broke into three more, taking $6,050.
Gawith told police he thought he had not done anything wrong because he hadn't kept any of the money for himself, Sgt Ireland said.
"He said he liked playing God, but was unable to think things through properly."
The money was restored to the correct accounts as soon as Gawith's transactions were discovered.
Gawith pleaded guilty before Judge Gregory Ross in Palmerston North District Court in January and was convicted. Defense counsel Mark Alderdice sought bail for his client to allow Gawith to go to Manukau, where he was due to graduate from the Salvation Army's Bridge programme.
Gawith then returned to live at his parents' address in Palmerston North until his March 2 appearance.
Electronic Crimes Lab national manager Maarten Kleintjes told the Bay of Plenty Times this type of crime where money was moved to different accounts rather than stolen was more about thrill-seeking and was not very common.
"There is little benefit in it for the hacker and they get bored of it quite quickly.
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