Rockhampton business owner Bruce Kerr fined for computer hacking

The damage caused to a Central Queensland multimillion-dollar business by a computer hacker is ‘unknown’ because “any detriment suffered by the company couldn’t actually be quantified”, a court has heard.

Bruce Kerr

The damage caused to a Central Queensland multimillion-dollar business by a computer hacker is ‘unknown’ because “any detriment suffered by the company couldn’t actually be quantified”, a court has heard.

Rockhampton business owner Bruce Arthur Kerr, 56, was today sentenced for computer hacking after pleading guilty to the charge yesterday in Rockhampton District Court.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said Kerr’s business, Kerr’s IT Solutions, was engaged by Green Steel to carry out an audit of its IT system in early May 2021 and as part of that, a new server was installed at the Green Steel business site.

He said there were disputes between the parties about invoices and due dates.

Mr Sutton said Kerr was advised on May 27 there was another IT firm at Green Steel conducting an audit and at 2pm, Kerr remotely accessed the new server.

“(He) put it in a pause state, intended to cause a detriment by preventing others accessing the network,” he said.

“The network was offline for about an hour and a half.”

Judge Craig Chowdhury asked if compensation was requested.

“Any detriment suffered by the company couldn’t actually be quantified,” Mr Sutton replied.

A statement by Green Steel owner Brett Green filed in Rockhampton Magistrates Court viewed by the Morning Bulletin in 2022 revealed the company made more than $30 million in the 2020-21 financial year, equating roughly to $150,000 per day.

Defence barrister Neil Adams said the Rockhampton Grammar School graduate’s reputation had suffered by his “foolish act”, “misguided” attempt to protect his financial interests.

Bruce Kerr

“It had the reverse affect to what he expected,” he said.

“Kerr remains significantly out of pocket as a result of non-payment of those invoices.”

Mr Adams said Kerr, a father of one, started the business while he was at university undertaking a double degree in mechanical engineering and business after working on his parents’ farm for 10 years after high school.

Mr Adams tendered multiple reference letters from people who worked at Rockhampton Regional Council and the Public Trustee, along with certificates of appreciation from Norths Charges Rugby League Club, Central Queensland Athletics Club and Keppel Sands State School.

He also tendered stories published by the Morning Bulletin/Courier Mail about the court case, saying Kerr’s reputation had suffered.

Judge Chowdhury said the stories appeared to be accurate reports of court proceedings and media coverage was part of the justice system.

The court heard Kerr had a dated and unrelated criminal record – an assault occasioning bodily harm with no conviction recorded from October 2006.

Judge Chowdhury said it appeared this action was out of character for Kerr.

He ordered him to pay an $8,000 fine and no conviction recorded.

Originally published as Rockhampton business owner Bruce Kerr fined for computer hacking