"We face a very real risk of seeing the democratically accountable policing of computer-assisted crime replaced by a combination of vigilante action and the covert privatisation of legitimate investigation, " said Philip Virgo, Secretary General of EURIM, the all-party e-commerce lobby group which commissioned the study.

BBC: NEWS | Technology | Police 'need more e-crime skills'

Mr Virgo said Mr Baker had lived alone following the deaths of his parents, worked as a civil servant and had experienced trouble with his hips, which left him walking with a stick.

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And former Celtic signing Virgo, 26, has played just twice since Poyet took charge at the beginning of November.

BBC: Brighton boss Gus Poyet rejects Virgo/Hart speculation