‘End of the line’ for Harkins after 14-year court fight

AUGUST 10, 1999: Joshua Hayes is shot during a robbery in Jacksonville, Florida. AUGUST 11, 1999: Scots-born Phillip Harkins, then 20, is arrested. SEPTEMBER 1999: Harkins is told he will not be charged.

JANUARY 2000: New Florida state attorney reviews case. Co-accused Terry Glover blames Harkins, who is arrested, charged with murder and bailed. DECEMBER 2001: Harkins skips bail and moves back to Scotland.

JANUARY 26, 2003: He is arrested after his speeding car crashes into a taxi, killing passenger Jean O’Neill, 62. FEBRUARY 7, 2003: An extradition warrant is granted after police alert FBI.

DECEMBER 22, 2003: Harkins is jailed for five years for causing Mrs O’Neill’s death by dangerous driving. APRIL 6, 2006: Harkins arrested after release and held pending extradition. JUNE 2006: Home Secretary John Reid orders his extradition.

FEBRUARY 2007: Harkins appeals to the European Court of Human Rights.

MARCH 2010: Home Secretary Alan Johnson upholds extradition after ECHR refers case back to UK ministers.

JANUARY 2012: ECHR rejects fresh appeal, as whole-life sentence is not ‘grossly disproportionate’ for murder.

FEBRUARY 2015: Strasbourg court rules whole-life terms ‘can be reviewed’, so do not breach human rights laws. JULY 10, 2017: Final appeal fails.