British man suspected of murdering partner in Italy to be extradited

A British man in his 70s suspected of murdering his partner in Italy will be extradited, a court has ruled.

Westminster magistrates have today ordered the extradition of Michael Whitbread.

Michele Faiers, also a British national, was found stabbed to death at the home she shared with Whitbread near the Italian town of Casoli.

The Italian government accuses Whitbread of killing Ms Faiers on 28 October last year.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the ruling after working with Leicestershire Police and Italian authorities.

Whitbread has seven days in which to lodge an application for permission to appeal the decision.

Head of the extradition unit at the CPS, John Sheehan, 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.

"This is an excellent example of the CPS leading domestic and international co-operation in criminal justice."

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