This case dates back to 2001, when Mr McKinnon hacked into computers belonging to the U.S. military and scientific establishments from his home in Wood Green, north London.

Under the codename Solo he allegedly hacked into hundreds of machines belonging to the Pentagon, the U.S. army, the air force and NASA, which were not not properly secured by officials. This occurred over a period of 18 months.

U.S. prosecutors claim he caused $700,000 (£375,000) worth of damage. A lawyer for the U.S. government said the hacking "was intentional and calculated to influence and affect the U.S. government by intimidation. In an interview with the Guardian in 2006, Mr McKinnon claimed he had simply been searching for evidence of UFO activity.

It should be noted that McKinnon claims that he did not cause any damage but was simply as he describes as "snooping around".

The charges include an incident shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 - which brought down a network of 300 computers at the Earle Naval Weapons Station in New Jersey. Another event allegedly knocked out 2,000 computers in Washington.

Mr. McKinnon had challenged the decision by the Home Secretary, John Reid, to send him to the U.S. Mr. Reid decided last year that Mr McKinnon's extradition should go ahead despite claims from his lawyers that the 40-year-old faced the prospect of a military tribunal and possible imprisonment in Guantanamo Bay as an enemy of the state. He faces a sentence of 70 years if found guilty.

Now, I have no doubt that Gary will be found guilty, I mean the U.K. government has failed to protect him and the U.S. government obviously doesn't want him free after what he claims to have seen his hacking related to UFOs.