ATTEMPTS to bring a former St Andrews University student back to Scotland to face attempted murder charges have been blocked due to suicide fears.

American Alexander Hilton has been granted a stay of extradition in his homeland, despite Scottish prosecutors' attempts to bring him back to the country to face charges of allegedly poisoning a fellow student at a university ball.

Mr Hilton is accused of spiking fellow student Robert Forbes' red wine with methanol at St Andrews University in Fife in 2011. Mr Forbes, who is also from the US, suffered severe nausea and headaches and started to lose his vision. He would have died if he had not sought medical help.

Mr Hilton, 21, returned to the US in March 2011, less than two weeks after the alleged poisoning. Last May, Boston magistrate judge Jennifer Boal ruled he could be brought back to face an attempted murder charge.

On Monday, his lawyers, who argue he is mentally ill, successfully lodged an emergency motion to keep him in the US while he appeals the extradition order.