Hacker Gary McKinnon loses latest High Court fight against extradition (From Haringey Independent)

Hacker Gary McKinnon loses latest High Court fight against extradition

12:38pm Friday 31st July 2009 in

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COMPUTER hacker Gary McKinnon has lost his latest attempt to avoid extradition to the United States to stand trial.

Mr McKinnon who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome could face a sentence of up to 60 years in a high-security prison if he is convicted.

The High Court dismissed two claims for a judicial review of the extradition.

His mother Janis Sharp, said she was heartbroken and made an emotional appeal to Barack Obama to intervene.

Speaking outsdie the court, she said: "Obama wouldn't have this. He doesn't want the first guy extradited for computer misuse to be a guy with Asperger's, a UFO guy. He wouldn't want this."

Mr McKinnon has always admitted he hacked into high security Government and military computer systems from his Palmers Green flat but claims he was simply looking for evidence of UFOs.

His family fear he would not survive with his condition in the tough high-security US prison system.

Mr McKinnon's lawyers said he would appeal against the decision.