A TEENAGER has pleaded not guilty to using his phone to hack information from two companies to hold them to ransom.

The Oxfordshire 17-year-old was arrested last week following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.

He appeared in custody at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Monday afternoon (September 26) over one breach of bail charge and two charges of misuse of a computer.

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He has been remanded in youth detention until he is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 24 October.

The teen is accused of using a device without permission to gain information and codes from the companies in order to hold them to ransom, prosecutor Valerie Benjamin said.

Police have not disclosed which businesses were allegedly targeted.

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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