A KIDDERMINSTER poker champion wanted in the United States for the alleged murder of his wife 12 years ago will have to wait until the new year to hear if he is to be extradited.

Marcus Bebb-Jones, 46, hid his American wife's body in a Colorado National Park in 1997 before going on a gambling spree in Las Vegas with her credit cards, it is claimed.

The former hotelier racked up thousands of pounds of debts in just a few days before shooting himself in the head, it is said.

Bebb-Jones appeared in custody at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court after a judge decided last month he might try to take his own life again if allowed bail.

He was due to hear his fate today but Judge Daphne Wickham adjourned the case for a full hearing on February 4 for legal reasons.

He will next appear by videolink from Wandsworth prison on January 6, when the issues for argument will be decided.

Ben Keith, defending, said he wanted assurance the state of Colorado would not be seeking the death penalty.

Aaron Watkins, for the US Government, said: “He is sought by the Government of the United States for the most serious offence of murder.

“It is right to say if convicted of this offence he is exposed to a sentence of life imprisonment in the United States.

“Mr Bebb-Jones has no reason whatsoever to surrender to this court to face the rather uninvited prospect of return to the US.

“In the immediate face of the upheaval following the aftermath of the murder in 1997, he reacted by attempting suicide.

“Here, again, he is faced with great upheaval in relation to the very same incident and for that reason you may have concern for the way he may respond if released.”

Sabrina Bebb-Jones, 31, was reported missing in 1997 by employees of a hotel owned by the couple in the town of Grand Junction, Colorado.

A few days later, her husband apparently attempted suicide by firing a gun into his open mouth but, miraculously, escaped without serious injury.

When Bebb-Jones was questioned by police about his wife's disappearance, traces of her blood were found in his car, the court heard.

He then fled to Britain to embark on a high-profile poker career but Mr Keith claimed he has since lost all his winnings and is living on benefits.

He said: “Unfortunately, he has either spent or lost the remains of that money and was recently on benefits, both housing benefits and income support, in order to fund his lifestyle.”

Bebb-Jones was arrested after returning from a two-and-a-half-month job hunt in China. He had been due to take up a post as a financial consultant, it was said.

Bebb-Jones was arrested on November 12 in his home in Kidderminster, where he lives with his 15-year-old son and his mother.