SAD LOVE QUOTES: Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science sales rocket after Jake Davis seen clutching a copy

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science sales rocket after Jake Davis seen clutching a copy

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By Chris Greenwood and Victoria Allen

Last updated at 11:40 AM on 2nd August 2011

'In online world': Jack Davis leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court with the book

A controversial book that alleged hacker Jake Davis was seen with in court yesterday has soared up the charts on Amazon.

The 18-year-old, who is autistic, is charged with accessing a confidential system which holds the records of young people who have contacted medics over sexual health problems as well as attacks on Sony and police fighting organised crime.

Wearing a black T-shirt, jeans and blue shirt, he held a copy of a book called Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science as he stood in the dock with his head bowed.

The book by scientist Michael Brooks is a critically acclaimed exploration of how renowned scientists often have a deep anti-authoritarian streak.

It has climbed an astonishing 2,627 spots in the Amazon UK bestsellers' list to place 182 after its unexpected publicity.

Davis is accused of masterminding a global internet hacking spree from his bedroom in the Shetland Islands.

He lives in small chalet on a council estate just outside the capital Lerwick, which has now been dubbed the 'hack shack'.

One resident told The Sun: 'It's renowned for housing more colourful members of local society.

'If he ran a global hacking conspiracy there, it's amazing.'

The teenager was released on bail after he agreed not to access the Internet.

He could face up to ten years in prison after being charged with five offences.

His family said he suffers from autism and was forced out of school by bullies, prompting him to retreat into a world where his only friends were online.

Davis was arrested after investigators suspected he had been chatting online with Ryan Cleary, a 19-year-old from Essex who has been bailed on hacking charges.

When police went to Davis' home in Lerwick last Wednesday, they discovered a laptop running with over 40 software programmes.

Hack shack: Jake Davis's home outside Lerwick in Shetland

Before magistrates in Westminster, central London, he was accused of being involved in an attack on the website of the Serious Organised Crime Agency which made it crash.

He is also charged with compromising records held by East London NHS Foundation Trust, stealing data from Sony and hacking into the website of News International titles, including The Sun and Times.

The fifth charge alleges he conspired with members of hacking group LulzSec.

Davis will have to stay with his mother in Spalding, Lincolnshire, before appearing at Southwark Crown Court on August 30 alongside Cleary.