A man who hacked the computers of a gold bullion trading company, so others could intercept deliveries of the precious metal, has been jailed for a total of five years and four months.
Adam Penny was convicted of conspiracy to steal, unauthorised access to a computer and blackmail at Kingston Crown Court.
Three of Penny's accomplice were also convicted for their part in intercepting deliveries of gold.
The court heard that Penny stole the details of customers who had purchased gold and were waiting for it to be delivered. He then provided his accomplices with the information, including the parcel tracking number, and sent them to wait outside the address and have gold deliveries intercepted.
The defendants stole, or attempted to steal, six packages with an estimated value of over £88,000. The stolen gold was then sold to an unsuspecting jeweller in London.
Following Penny's arrest six iPhones and two MacBooks - one which was found in a toilet cistern - were seized. They were found to contain evidence of Penny's blackmail demands to the company and instructions for his interceptors.
Detective Constable Matt Burke, of the Cyber Crime Unit, says: "Penny hacked into the computers of the company and got others to intercept the gold packages for him. When even this wasn't enough for his lavish lifestyle, he blackmailed the company for £50,000. At the time of his arrest Penny was living in a luxury apartment in the Canary Wharf area, despite having no paid employment that we could identify."