No extradition until sentence completed?

Press, 3 June 1983, Page 2

No extradition until sentence completed?

NZPA London The convicted “Mr Asia,” murderer and drug runner, Alexander Sinclair, alias Terrence John Clark, is likely to spend at least another 18 years in a British prison, even if the Australian Government seeks his extradition. According to a British Home Office spokesman, the “general position” was that persons were not extradited until they had completed their sentence in Britain. Sinclair was sentenced in 1981 to life imprisonment for the murder of his former associate, Christopher Martin Johnstone. Mrs Justice Heilbron ordered that Sinclair serve a minimum of 20 years. The

term is concurrent with a 17-year sentence for drugrunning convictions. According to the spokesman for the Home Office, which handles prisons and police affairs, the British Government would “obviously consider” an extradition request by the Australian Government. “The situation is that we have not actually received a request. We do not know if it intends to follow up the Royal Commission’s recommendation,” the spokesman added. “The general position is that the person is not extradited until completion of his sentence in this country.” Sinclair’s solicitor, Mr Harry Stevens, was not available for comment.