In what is believed to be the first conviction of this kind a man has been found guilty of the offence of illegally using someone's wireless network.

Gregory Straszkiewicz, aged 24 of Ealing was convicted on last week at Isleworth Crown Court of two offences against the Communications Act, namely dishonestly obtaining an electronic communication service with an attempt to avoid payment and possessing anything to obtain such service.

He received a £500 fine, forfeiture of his computer and wireless card and given a 12-month conditional discharge.

A member of the public contacted police in August 2004 after becoming concerned about a man acting suspiciously in the street who appeared to be on his laptop computer.

Police attended and arrested Straszkiewicz under the Computer Misuse Act and confiscated his laptop. Forensic examination showed that the computer had been used to access the Internet via a wireless card.  This had enabled Straszkiewicz to intercept the WiFi connection used by a local resident and access their Internet subscription without their knowledge and using the Internet without paying for it.

Further investigation showed that Straszkiewicz had been in the area periodically for two to three months.

DC Stephen Rothwell at Ealing CID said, "This case is the first of its type in the United Kingdom and it sets an example to people who use increased computer technology to try and avoid paying for the Internet. People using a similar method will be treated in the same way."

A survey conducted in March of this year, found that more than a third of wireless networks in London had the basic security features turned off. According to the law as it stands the owner of the network is responsible for any material downloaded through it.

July 28, 2005