Mum's relief after son's extradition halted

THE extradition of an autistic man wanted on computer hacking charges in the US has been halted by the Home Secretary. Alan Johnson made his decision after agreeing to review new evidence about the mental health of Gary McKinnon, who faces up to 60 years

THE extradition of an autistic man wanted on computer hacking charges in the US has been halted by the Home Secretary.

Alan Johnson made his decision after agreeing to review new evidence about the mental health of Gary McKinnon, who faces up to 60 years in jail in America if convicted.

Gary's mum, Janis Sharp, who lives in Brookmans Park, said she was relieved that the minister had postponed handing her son over to the US authorities.

She told the WHT: "I am really pleased that Alan Johnson is considering this new evidence.

"It is an incredible relief for us."

As reported in the WHT last week, Asperger's sufferer Gary was refused the right to appeal to the UK Supreme Court against his extradition.

And Janis admitted she feared her son could have been put on a plane to the States as early as Friday had Mr Johnson not intervened. "We were very, very scared," she said.

"It has given us respite and hope."

Prosecutors in America allege that 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.