Timeline: Gary McKinnon on the brink of extradition

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UPDATED: Admitted hacker Gary McKinnon is on the point of extradition after cracking into NASA and Pentagon systems in 2001 and 2002.

McKinnon has said the hacks were harmless and that he was just looking for proof of the existence of aliens. Since the hacks, he's also been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

He has been trying to avoid extradition to the US, where he could face a long sentence in an American jail. Home Secretary Alan Johnson has refused to step in.

Here's our timeline of how it's all gone down.

February 2007: Alleged NASA hacker begins extradition fight

Lawyers for McKinnon begin their fight to stop his extradition to the US. McKinnon admits accessing the computers, but he claimed that he was only looking for evidence of extraterrestrial life.

October 2007: McKinnon given leave to appeal hacking extradition

After making a failed case to the High Court, the House of Lords give McKinnon another chance to appeal his extradition to the US, on the grounds that US prosecuting authorities were coercive and threatening during plea bargaining discussions.

June 2008: British hacker takes appeal to Law Lords

McKinnon continues his fight against extradition and begins his case at the House of Lords. McKinnon’s lawyers claim that an extradition could see him sentenced for anything up to 45 years.

July 2008: Hacker McKinnon loses final appeal

The hacker loses his appeal to the Law Lords. The only option now is the European courts.

August 2008: Hacker McKinnon gets extradition delay

The European Court of Human Rights grants McKinnon a two-week delay on his extradition, giving it a chance to look at his case.

August 2008: Hacker faces justice after lost Euro appeal

The European courts reject the appeal. Plans are made to appeal to the Home Secretary, which are also rejected.

12 January 2009: McKinnon could be tried for hacker crimes in Britain

McKinnon’s lawyers say he will plead guilty to a UK offence under the Misuse of Computers Act. The request has already been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

15 January 2009: Gary McKinnon and supporters make last-ditch appeal

McKinnon and supporters make a public appeal before the High Court on whether they will accept his bid to be tried in the UK.

23 January 2009: Hacker McKinnon can challenge US extradition

McKinnon achieves a victory, as he is granted a judicial review to challenge his case in the High Court.

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