London computer enthusiast could face 60 years in a US jail

A British hacker accused by the US government of the 'biggest military hack of all time' will appear in court this morning to hear whether he will be extradited to the United States.

Gary McKinnon, aged 40, from North London, is accused of hacking into 97 US government computers, used by Nasa, the Pentagon and the US army, navy and airforce.

If Bow Street Magistrates' Court decides to extradite McKinnon he could face 60 years in prison and a $1.2m fine.

Although McKinnon has admitted to hacking, he wants to be prosecuted in the UK where he believes he will get a fairer trial.

His biggest concern is that if he is extradited U.S. President George W. Bush could enact Military Order No. 1 against him, meaning he could be detained indefinitely or face trial by military commission.

McKinnon denies allegations that he crippled computer systems at a US naval base in the wake of the September 11 attacks or intentionally caused damage to any US military machines (Computing, 4 August). He says he hacked into computers to try and find information about UFOs.

But US prosecutors say McKinnon posted a message on one computer he hacked, saying: 'US foreign policy is akin to government-sponsored terrorism these days. I am Solo. I will continue to disrupt at the highest levels.'