McKinnon broke the law?

When was the trial?

I do think he should face extradition though because he committed a crime in the US - the argument that because he was physically at the UK end of an internet connection means he didn't commit a crime in the US is laughable. We might as well put up a sign saying spammers and 419ers welcome - just don't shit in our nest.

As for disproportionate sentencing - just because white collar crime is treated as a joke in the UK doesn't mean that is right. White collar crime is potentially more devastating than crimes of violence or robbery because of the potential impact on a vast number of people and the corruption that it encourages when it is treated with a slap on the wrist.