The extradition of Barnsley-born student Richard O'Dwyer has been approved by the Home Secretary.

 

He is accused of providing links to pirated copyrighted material by setting up the website TV Shack. US authorities want him to stand trial in America.

 

After she was told that Home Secretary Theresa May had signed the extradition papers Richard's mother Julia, of Bolsover, said he has been 'sold down the river'. She said changes to the extradition law needed to be introduced.

 

Jiulia has been leading an online campaign and earlier this month a petition in support of Richard, formerly of Mount Vernon Road, got its 20,000th signature.

 

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency claims TVShack.net website earned Richard almost £150,000 before authorities shut it down in mid-2010.

 

It is anticipated an appeal will be lodged. More in this week's paper.