Accused Hacker Ryan Cleary Released on Bail, Diagnosed with Autism

A U.K. hacker Ryan Cleary, 19, was arrested earlier this month in a joint operation between the U.K.'s Metropolitan and Essex Police force and the U.S.'s FBI. Cleary was reputed to be tied to LulzSec.

Police had charged Cleary for alleged involvement in web assaults against the Serious Organized Crime Agency, British Phonographic Industry and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

During his seven-day custody, Cleary has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of high functioning autism, along with agoraphobia and had spent most of his days at home for the last four years as a result.

Asperger's syndrome is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, physical clumsiness, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It is different from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development, according to Wikipedia.

After an unsuccessful appeal by prosecutors at London's Southwark Crown Court, Cleary has now been released on conditional bail and must observe a curfew between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., be electronically tagged and allowed to leave the house with one of his parents. He is not permitted to access the internet or possess devices which can go online.

His mother, Rita spoke at Southwark Crown court on Monday to say she would agree to any bail conditions imposed on her son, describing him as my life, she said: I'm aware that I'm his best friend as well as his mother, because he's reclusive.

Rita described Ryan as a 'vulnerable young man, would attempt to kill himself if he was not granted bail soon.

Cleary's solicitor Karen Todner stated after the hearing on Monday, He will now be provided with the professional support that he needs. His obvious intelligence can now be channeled into a worthwhile pursuit.

Cleary is allegedly a heavy metal fan who has been thrown out of two schools for disruptive behavior. Ryan is obsessed with computers. He's a bit of a geek. That's all he does - he's a recluse. He locks himself in his room every day, closes the curtains and spends hours at a time online, Cleary's 22-year-old half brother told media.

Ryan used to be part of WikiLeaks. He has upset someone doing that and they made a Facebook page having a go at him, said half brother Mitchell.

Since news of Cleary's arrest was first revealed, LulzSec has constantly maintained that he is in not its core member.

Ryan Cleary is not part of LulzSec; we house one of our many legitimate chatrooms on his IRC server, but that's it, LulzSec tweeted. Clearly the UK police are so desperate to catch us that they've gone and arrested someone who is, at best, mildly associated with us. Lame, tweeted the hacker group after Cleary's arrest.

Cleary's troubles are far from over.

Under revised US laws, Cleary could face up to ten years in jail. He is highly likely to be extradited to the US. As per the current laws, first-time hacking offenders can only receive up to ten year sentences. And the maximum sentence for simple data theft is currently only five years. The Obama administration has urged Congress to pass new laws that would double the maximum sentence hackers could receive.

Cleary will return to court for hearing on August 30.