THE new Home Secretary has blocked the extradition of an autistic man wanted in the US on hacking charges.

As had been expected, Theresa May today (Thursday) halted the planned extradition of Gary McKinnon to the States for trial, to re-examine the impact the proceedings would have on his health.

Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger’s, is wanted by prosecutors in America, who allege he caused more than �50,000 worth of damage to military computers in 2001 and 2002.

If convicted, the 44-year-old could face up to 60 years in a federal prison.

Mr McKinnon admits to hacking but maintains he was looking for evidence of alien life.

For the past eight years, Mr McKinnon’s mother, Janis Sharp from Brookmans Park, has battled against the extradition order, and even stood in the General Election against former Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who she blames for pushing through the UK’s controversial extradition treaty with the US.

In another boost to Mr McKinnon’s cause today, the new coalition Government also said today that it would be reviewing the treaty.