Nicholas Rossi flies back to US to face rape charges after two-year court battle

A FUGITIVE suspected of faking his death has been extradited to the US from Scotland to face charges, including rape, following a lengthy case in Scottish courts.

- CRAIG PATON

Nicholas Rossi, 36, had claimed he was the victim of mistaken identity and was really an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight.

But a sheriff ruled he was Rossi, and Scottish ministers signed an extradition order last September.

Rossi's appeal against extradition was dismissed last month, paving the way for him to be removed. A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed yesterday: "We assisted partner agencies with the extradition of a 36-year-old man.

Rossi is said to have faked his death before hiding out in Scotland.