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A London man described as the "world's biggest computer hacker" has been arrested.

Gary McKinnon, 39, was seized by the Met's extradition unit at his Wood Green home.

The unemployed former computer engineer is accused of causing the US government $1billion of    damage by breaking into its most secure computers at the Pentagon and Nasa. He is likely to be   extradited to America to face eight counts of computer crime in 14 states and could be jailed for  70 years.

The former Highgate Wood comprehensive-pupil was granted bail today at Bow Street  Magistrates' Court.

Most of the alleged hacking took place in 2001 and 2002. At one stage the US thought it was the work of the al Qaeda terror network.

He is accused of a series of hacking offences including deleting "critical" files from military computers. The US authorities said the cost of tracking him down and correcting the alleged problems was more than £570,000. The offences could also see him fined up to £950,000 if found guilty on all charges.

World's biggest hacker held !!!