Gateshead man Geoffrey Woodward ends extradition fight
A man has ended his legal battle against extradition to Australia and will now face allegations of raping a schoolgirl 40 years ago.
Geoffrey Woodward, 71, from Gateshead, who denies the charges, originally fought extradition on the grounds of ill health.
The former soldier worked as an industrial radiographer in New South Wales during the 1970s.
He remains on bail until his surrender to the Australian authorities.
The end of the appeal was confirmed by Lord Justice Laws at the High Court in London earlier.
Mr Woodward started his proceedings under the 2003 Extradition Act after his removal from the country was approved by the home secretary.
He faces seven counts of rape and one of serious sexual assault on a girl between the ages of 11-13.
The abuse is alleged to have continued until 1978. Mr Woodward moved back to the North East the following year.
An arrest warrant was issued in October 2010 by police in Australia.