Phone repair shop in Manilla is gonna be very different from repair shop in western mall. In manilla they gonna resolder any component from a salvaged phone, where in west you gonna buy a new case for it (probably exaggeration from both ends).

My point is - it was quite exciting and interesting job for early 2000s, probably paid ok too. There was some software to crack and occasionally write something. Nowadays the hardware is much cheaper when adjusted for inflation, but people still need the service. Jailbreak scene continues to exist too.

Also transitioning from writing a simple virus into production software is a long long way.

Maybe judge rule him shall not touch computer for life(and for everybody's good?)