AUSTRALIA. BRITON WANTED FOR MURDER IN SINGAPORE CLOSER TO EXTRADITION

Michael McCrea, a British businessman accused of a double murder in Singapore, lost another round in a three-year fight to avoid extradition from Australia on the grounds that he could be executed. The Federal Court in Melbourne dismissed McCrea's appeal against the government's decision to extradite him, saying it believed an undertaking by Singapore not to impose the death penalty would be honoured. McCrea, 46, allegedly strangled his chauffeur and the driver's girlfriend during a dispute on January 2, 2002, before fleeing with his Singaporean girlfriend to Australia via Britain. He had been in custody in Melbourne since June 2002 after being arrested on a warrant issued by Interpol. His 23-year-old girlfriend, Audrey Ong, consented to extradition and was jailed for 12 years after admitting to helping dispose of the bodies.