Julian Assange has been charged by the US for computer-related offences after he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police earlier today. He has now been found guilty in a UK court for skipping bail.

The Wikileaks founder faces possible extradition to the US after being expelled from the Ecuadorean Embassy, where he was hiding as a fugitive for seven years.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the 47-year-old was arrested in response to an extradition warrant by the US, as well as for his bail offences in the UK.

Judge Michael Snow at Westminster Magistrates Court found Assange guilty of failing to surrender, calling him a "narcissist" and suggesting his representations in court have been "shameful" and that the claim he has not had a fair hearing was "laughable".

He has sent Assange for sentencing at the Crown Court, and if guilty he faces a jail sentence of up to 12 months. He will next appear in court on the 2nd of May by video link on the extradition matter. He will next appear on the bail offence at Southwark Crown Court on a date to be announced.

The US department of justice confirmed he has been charged with computer crimes, and added in a statement that if convicted he will face up to five years in prison.

The statement revealed criminal charges against Mr Assange linked to his role in the release of sensitive diplomatic cables in 2010.

Mr Assange was accused of helping Chelsea Manning, the ex-intelligence analyst in the US Army, to break a password to a classified US government computer.