Man held over Italy death of partner
AMAN from Devon accused of murdering his partner is due to be extradited to Italy to face a criminal charge there.
Retired driving instructor Michael Whitbread, 74, is wanted by the Italian authorities for allegedly killing Michele Faiers, 66, who was found stabbed to death at their home in Casoli, Italy, in October last year.
It is alleged that Whitbread, originally from Torquay, drove from Italy to the UK following her death, on a trip that Mr Whitbread told police was to visit relatives.
He was arrested in Shepshed, Leicestershire, within days, and an international arrest warrant was issued by an Italian judge.
Yesterday, his extradition was ordered at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, in London. He was remanded in custody and has seven days in which to lodge an application for permission to appeal.
John Sheehan, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Extradition Unit, said: “Our thoughts are primarily with the grieving family of Michele Faiers. We ask that there be no speculation about the facts of the case which may be subject to appeal, and so that Michael Whitbread can receive a fair trial in Italy.”
Ms Faiers was reportedly discovered by Italy’s paramilitary police, lying in a pool of blood with seven stab wounds to her back. There were no signs of a struggle and her body was covered with a white sheet.
The Times reported that an investigative source said: “She was found on the floor in her bedroom next to the bed, dressed in underwear and covered by a white sheet. There was no sign of a struggle and she was possibly stabbed in her sleep, but we await the forensic examination to find out more.” Those who knew them described the pair as a “very reserved” couple.
The Daily Mail spoke to a neighbour, who said: “They were quite private and didn’t really interact with the community, as they couldn’t speak much Italian, but they would always smile and say hello. They had three dogs and the last time I saw them a week ago they were in the garden in front of their house, but there was nothing untoward.”
‘We ask that there be no speculation about the facts of the case which may be subject to appeal’ CPS EXTRADITION UNIT