A 21-old Welsh Web designer who pleaded guilty to creating and distributing three mass mailer viruses is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court next Tuesday.

Simon Vallor, of Llandudno, North Wales, last month admitted offences under section three of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 in creating the Gokar, Redesi and Admirer mass mailing viruses.

Prosecutors have submitted evidence that these viruses spread to 27,000 computers in 42 countries. In early 2002, Gokar was the third most common virus on the Net.

At a hearing on December 20, Bow Street Magistrates Court passed over responsibility for sentencing to Southwark Crown Court, for a judge (who has wider powers than magistrates) to pass sentence on the case.

Charges against Vallor relating to the possession of indecent images of children were withdrawn during the December 20 hearing when the police presented no evidence.

Vallor was arrested on February 14 this year and charged with offences under section three of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, by British police acting on intelligence from the FBI's Baltimore field office.

Officers from Scotland Yard's specialist Computer Crime Unit assisted North Wales police in their investigation. ®

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