Italy murder: Partner faces extradition
THE partner of a British grandmother who was murdered in her home in Italy faced extradition proceedings at a London court yesterday.
Michael Whitbread, 74, was arrested in England on suspicion of murder on Wednesday night after Michele Faiers was found dead that morning.
The body of the 66-year-old – who is believed to have been stabbed – was discovered by a friend in the first-floor bedroom of her home in Casoli, a town in eastern Italy.
It is claimed that Whitbread set off for England hours after she died, driving through Switzerland and France to reach Britain.
He was arrested in Shepshed, Leicestershire.
At a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Whitbread, a retired driving instructor and shop owner, was asked if he consented to be extradited to Italy, where he now lives.
From the dock, he replied: ‘No.’ Darren Watts, for the Italian legal authorities, told the court: ‘This is a murder of the requested person’s partner.’ He said that Whitbread had driven from Italy to England: ‘He arrived in the UK on Wednesday and was arrested.’
The court also heard that Whitbread is a grandfather with close family connections in the UK and was visiting relatives. He is understood to have had a return travel ticket to Italy.
District judge John Zani yesterday said ‘this is an accusation’ and Whitbread had not been convicted of anything. He told Whitbread: ‘The Italian authorities wish you to return to face trial there because it is a very serious allegation.
‘In the event you are convicted, a very lengthy sentence of imprisonment would almost be inevitable.
‘You live in Italy and say you were visiting family. I cannot ignore the fact that your visit here happened soon after the allegation of murder happened but a few days ago.’
Whitbread was ordered to next appear at a preliminary hearing on Thursday. The judge said the court was ‘working towards a full hearing’ on February 26.