RYAN CLEARY FROM WICKFORD FACES CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SENTENCE AFTER HACKING AND OBSESSION WITH COMPUTERS

In June 2013, Ryan Cleary, a 21-year-old resident of Wickford, was set to face sentencing after being found guilty of possessing indecent images related to extreme child pornography. Cleary, who was known by the online alias ViraL, had previously appeared in court last month where he admitted to engaging in hacking activities and launching cyber attacks against several high-profile organizations, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

His actions as part of the notorious hacktivist collective LulzSec had garnered significant attention, leading to his detention and a sentence of two years and eight months in prison. However, the legal proceedings also uncovered disturbing evidence: Cleary possessed a collection of indecent images depicting extreme child pornography, which were discovered on his personal hard drive.

Today, at London's Southwark Crown Court, Cleary was scheduled to be sentenced specifically for the possession of these illicit images. His legal representative, barrister John Cooper QC, provided insight into Cleary’s background during a court hearing in May. Cooper described Cleary as a “totally obsessed, compulsive individual” whose fixation with computers began after he was sent to boarding school at the age of 11.

According to Cooper, by the time of his arrest, Cleary had become increasingly reclusive, often confined to his bedroom and immersed in his computer activities. The lawyer emphasized that Cleary was not a “career sexual pervert,” suggesting that the 172 indecent images, which were downloaded in a single session, were a manifestation of his Asperger’s syndrome and his obsessive relationship with technology.

The case highlights the complex psychological profile of Cleary, whose hacking exploits and personal conduct have raised serious concerns about the intersection of mental health issues and cybercrime. The court’s decision on his sentencing was awaited, with authorities emphasizing the severity of his crimes and the need for appropriate legal consequences.