A YOUNG man has pleaded guilty to hacking the websites of Cheshire Police and Greater Manchester Police.

Liam Reece Watts, 20, of Stratford Road, Chorley, appeared via videolink from HMP Altcourse at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, April 25.

He admitted two charges of unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of or prevent access to a computer.

The first cyberattack – hacking the Greater Manchester Police website, happened on August 28, 2018, while the hacking of the Cheshire Police website occurred on March 22.

Judge Steven Everett said the attacks caused "substantial disruption" to the websites.

Prosecuting, Peter Hussey said the motivation for the hacking of the websites may have been that of revenge.

The court heard the attacks happened by sending "an enormous amount of requests" to the websites, which caused them to go down.

The case was adjourned for two pre-sentence reports to be gathered, one from the probation service and one from a psychologist.

A date for sentencing was scheduled for Chester Crown Court on June 28, where Watts must be produced.

Judge Everett warned Watts: "You don't want to get your hopes up: Custody is well and truly at the top of the menu here."