British hacker waits a month to hear his fate

Bow Street Magistrates' Court has delayed its decision on whether it will allow the United States government to extradite a London computer hacker, until next month.

Gary McKinnon, the British hacker accused of being the 'biggest military hacker of all time' appeared in court yesterday but will have to reappear on 10 May to hear the judge's decision.

The 40-year old hacker, from North London, is accused of illegally accessing 97 US government computers, used by Nasa, the Pentagon and the US army, navy and airforce. The US prosecution also alleges that he damaged computer systems.

McKinnon admits that he hacked into systems but denies intentionally causing damage. He says he hacked into computers to try and find information about UFOs.

A UK trial would be fairer as there is a risk of indefinite imprisonment or trial by a military commission if extradited, he says.

In court yesterday, the prosecution produced a letter from the US government saying that Military Order No. 1 – used against terrorists – would not be enacted against him if extradited to the US.

But the defence claimed that the letter was not binding as it was unsigned.

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.'

If extradited McKinnon he could face 60 years in prison and a $1.2m fine.