A British hacker accused by the US government of the 'biggest military hack of all time' resumed his fight against extradition yesterday.

Gary McKinnon, aged 40, could face 60 years in prison if extradited to the US and found guilty of hacking into 97 US government computers, used Nasa, the Pentagon and the US army, navy and airforce.

It is alleged that the self-taught computer enthusiast from Wood Green, North London caused $700,000 (£370,000) worth of damage to US military computer networks, between February 2001 and March 2002.

Speaking to Computing at Bow Street Magistrates' Court yesterday, McKinnon said he hoped the protracted two-year extradition proceedings would be concluded this week.

McKinnon also denies allegations that he crippled computer systems at a US naval base in the wake of the September 11 attacks or intentionally caused damage to any US military machines (Computing, 4 August). He says he hacked into computers to try and find information about UFOs.

But US prosecutors say McKinnon posted a message on one computer he hacked, saying: 'US foreign policy is akin to government-sponsored terrorism these days. I am Solo. I will continue to disrupt at the highest levels.'

McKinnon's biggest concern is that if he is extradited U.S. President George W. Bush could enact Military Order No. 1 against him, meaning he could be detained indefinitely or face trial by military commission.

In court yesterday, defence lawyer Edmund Lawson said he found it hard to believe that McKinnon could be responsible of state intimidation and coercion.

'It is hard to believe that a one 'O' level, self trained computer enthusiast could be capable of intimidation and coercion,' he said.

District Judge Nicholas Evans will hear more expert witness comment from human rights lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith, who has been involved in Guantanamo Bay detainee extradition cases, before arriving at his decision.