AN IT worker risked national security by stealing £10,000 worth of laptops and mobile phones and selling them on the internet, a court heard today.
Andrew Woffindin, 43, had high-level security clearance at National Air Traffic Services control centre in Swanwick where he had worked for several years.
He pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft by an employee, which amounted to six laptops and ten phones, at Fareham Magistrates' Court today.
A further 119 counts will be taken in to consideration when he is sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on August 7.
Woffindin, of Angus Close, Fareham, worked as an IT contractor for Serco Group plc.
He was caught when a missing laptop was spotted on an internet auction site and a test purchase exposed him as the seller.
His home was searched and further stolen items were found.
Ruth Sands, prosecuting, said: “The defendant handled data up to top secret level so he was a trusted man.”
She said Woffindin stole to supplement his family income and pay bills and credit card debts.
She asked for the case to go to crown court for sentencing due to the “sensitivity of the information of the items being sold and the possible breach of national security”.
She added: “It goes that high.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel