Gary McKinnon with Janis Sharp

THE Home Secretary has refused to block the extradition of an autistic man who is wanted in America on computer hacking charges.

Alan Johnson had been reviewing evidence relating to the mental health of Gary McKinnon, who faces up to 60 years in a US jail if he is convicted.

But yesterday (Thursday), the minister announced that he could not block the extradition on medical grounds.

Gary’s mum Janis Sharp, who lives in Brookmans Park, said she was “devastated” by the news and added that her son had reacted “very badly”.

She continued: “To force a peaceful, vulnerable, misguided UFO fanatic like Gary thousands of miles away from his much-needed support network is barbaric.”

Prosecutors in America allege Gary, 43, caused nearly £500,000 worth of damage to military computers in 2001 and 2002.

Gary, who lives in North London, admits hacking but maintains he was looking for evidence of alien life.