An Albanian double killer who posed as a Kosovan refugee to enter the UK illegally is set to be extradited back to his native country after living here freely for almost two decades.

Father-of-four Avni Metra, 53, came to Britain in 1998, a year after carrying out the brutal murder of two brothers, and was later sentenced to 25 years in prison in his absence.

He fought to stay in the UK despite being entitled to be retried in Albania, arguing that he would not get a fair trial.

Metra, who was living in Borehamwood, was arrested by Scotland Yard detectives on June 8 as he drove through Watford.

Metra told an earlier extradition hearing: "There is no justice in Albania. There is only corruption."

The labourer, who claimed he had originally fled his native country because his life was in danger after a friend was killed, also argued that he had a right to a private and personal life in the UK.

But district judge Margot Coleman ruled at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Friday that he could be extradited, saying: "It's right that you have lived here for some time and that you have a wife and children.

"But your living here, your life in this country, is based on a lie.

"When you entered this country you did not say you were Avni Metra from Albania. You gave a false name, saying you were seeking asylum from Kosovo.

"It was on that basis you were given leave to remain in this country and subsequently granted a British passport."