David Allen van Osten, 44, from Iowa, USA, appeared in court yesterday, decked out in crocodile skin cowboy boots, for a hearing regarding his extradition.

Dr Donatella Frendo Dimech, representing the attorney general, presented the court with documentation sent from America for Mr van Osten’s extradition.

These documents were authenticated by US attorney general John Ashcroft and secretary of state Colin Powell, she explained.

Dr Frendo Dimech presented the arrest warrant issued by the American Government as well as a pre-agreement made between the government and Mr van Osten.

Before escaping to Malta, the man had pleaded guilty to the crimes he is being accused of and there was even a plea-bargaining process. Presiding magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna asked Mr van Osten whether he accepted the extradition he is facing. Defence attorney Dr Anthony Cutajar said his client still has to consider his position on the matter.

Dr Cutajar made a request for Mr van Osten to be released on bail. Magistrate Apap Bologna refused the request for reasons brought up by the prosecution. “As he escaped from the US to Malta, he can escape again,” said Dr Frendo Dimech. “After all the world is not simply made up of the US and Malta.”

Inspectors Dennis Theuma and Morgan Azzopardi prosecuted.