Blaster boy cries foul over arrest

In his first interview, Blaster.B suspect Jeffrey Lee Parson has claimed that he is not the loner as portrayed in the media.

Talking to US TV programme NBC Today Parson complained that many of the people who have been interviewed about him are not his friends.

He added that he had a wide network of associates who were supporting him since his arrest.

"I'm not a loner. I have a very supportive close group of friends. I'm not reckless, I don't do drugs, smoke or drink," said Parson.

"This is the first time I have ever had a run-in with the law. It's hurtful to see the accounts of me. I'm not depressed, embarrassed about my weight, or a misfit."

Parson was unable to talk about the extent of his involvement in the Blaster.B worm, one of four variants, which spread around the internet last month using a Microsoft operating system hole for which a patch had long been available.

He also claimed that he gave four interviews to investigators before being charged or offered a lawyer. Since being charged he is co-operating because he has been told that it will help his case.

"Even now I still don't fully understand the charges against me," said Parson. "I don't even have a copy of the complaint, and don't have a lawyer that has explained the specific charges to me."

He claimed that the government is seeking to make an example of him.