Eggheads star CJ de Mooi to fight extradition bid over murder rap after writing that he could have killed a mugger
EGGHEADS star CJ de Mooi has been bailed after appearing in court on suspicion of murder after claiming he may have killed a man in his autobiography.
Joseph Connagh, known as CJ de Mooi on the show, was arrested under a European arrest warrant by Dutch Police at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday.
Today the former panellist on the BBC quiz show appeared in court under his real name Joseph Connagh.
He could face extradition to the Netherlands for allegations of murder, manslaughter and assault more than 20 years ago.
In his book the quiz show star, who was one of five regular panellists on the popular BBC show, admitted he may have killed a mugger in Amsterdam two decades ago.
De Mooi appeared at Westminster magistrates' court today, where he said he would fight extradition to the Netherlands.
He wore grey tracksuit bottoms, a green t-shirt and a hoodie and is believed to have entered the court through a back entrance straight from police custody.
The brainiac was released on bail to appear at court on November 28 for an extradition hearing.
Prosecutor Brian Gibbins said: "The defendant appears before you today on a European arrest warrant issued by a Dutch prosecutor in Amsterdam."
He added: "This is an allegation relating to matters of manslaughter, murder, assault and assault by battery.
"It relates to an incident said to have taken place in 1988 in Amsterdam.
"It appears the defendant, a TV personality, wrote an autobiography. And in that autobiography it said that the defendant claimed that whilst living in Amsterdam in 1988 he may have killed a drug addict who was attempting to mug him by punching him and throwing him into a canal in Amsterdam.
"It is understood that person had a knife with him, it was said that the defendant punched his assailant square in the face, disarmed him and threw him in the canal.
"On the face of the warrant he is wanted for further questions."
But Chris Stevens, representing de Mooi, said there was a "lot of missing information" from the warrant.
He added: "The words were in his own book, the information provided in that book.
"There doesn't appear to be a named victim in the warrant, date of birth or even an address where this matter took place."
He said the inquiry by the Dutch authorities was based on "something that might have happened" and which "could arguably be self defence".
Mr Stevens continued: "There isn't anything to suggest the Dutch authorities are in a position to charge him with this."
De Mooi was approached by Scotland Yard for questioning by Dutch police in February this year, the court was told.
He agreed to be questioned but only if it was "formally in an interview setting with the appropriate protection". He did not hear about the matter again, Mr Stevens said.
He added: "He has carried on with his life as normal, gone to pursue work and a career."
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A man was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, 21 September on a European Arrest Warrant issued in the Netherlands in relation to an allegation of murder.
"Joseph Connagh, 46, self employed, of Monmouthshire, appears in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday."
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He wrote: "He caught me on the wrong day and I just snapped.
"I fully suspect I killed him. I've no idea what happened to him."
De Mooi, who lives in Monmouthshire, described it as "the one incident in my life I do regret" and "the only outburst of violence I've ever done".
This is the second time the 46-year-old has faced charges throughout his showbiz career.
Earlier this year De Mooi was probed by police on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old man.
He said he was barred from appearing on Eggheads while police probed the incident.
De Mooi denied the claims and was never charged.
The former president of the English Chess Federation grew up in a violent, racist and homophobic household in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, before running away in 1987.
He worked as a prostitute in London throughout his late teens before moving to Amsterdam, where he lived on the streets.
De Mooi was eventually spotted by a model scout and found a successful career that turned his life around.
He adopted the name De Mooi when modelling, as it translates as "handsome" in Dutch.
Today District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said: "This is an accusation warrant - the allegation is of course a serious one.
"I do have regard for the circumstances of the case - these allegations came to light by your own admissions, by your own book and in your own words."
De Mooi and his husband, who are both apparently out of work, were ordered to pay £5,000 security as a bail condition.
He was also banned from international travel, has to sleep every night at his home address and keep a charged mobile phone with him at all times.
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