Rupert King has received a criminal conviction for hacking CBW several years ago while employed by Expo management on routeONE magazine
After a four year investigation by Cambridgeshire Police relating to events in 2011, Rupert King was convicted in June 2015, under the Misuse of Computers Act 2005, of hacking the computer systems of Rouncy Media Ltd, the then owner of Coach & Bus Week (CBW) magazine.
The offences took place from Rupert King’s routeONE desk at Expo Management Ltd in Peterborough and from his mobile phone. Rouncy/CBW computer systems were hacked at “administrator” level enabling access to all parts of the sales and email systems which compromised the business integrity and trading performance of Rouncy Media Ltd.
The offences were sustained in nature over a four month period in 2011 and took place on over 40 occasions. Rouncy Media Ltd ceased trading in June 2012 and was placed in liquidation in October 2012. King, a former employee of Rouncy Media Ltd was fined and given a community service order of 180 hours.
Jonathan Taylor, commenting on the case said: “I believe that Rupert King’s actions were a factor in the failure of Rouncy Media Ltd. Actions were taken to protect jobs and creditors related to CBW and the magazine is thriving as a result. I was by far the biggest creditor of Rouncy Media Ltd, followed by my (then) co-director Derek Phillips. Much more is known by us about the hacking of Rouncy than was revealed by this case.
“I will decide if further steps need to be taken, but it is extremely regrettable when genuine and otherwise healthy competition between businesses is not pursued in a fair and honest way. I would like to make it clear that the offences do not relate to Expo Management under its new owner, Diversified Communications UK, with whom we enjoy a constructive relationship.”
