Wanted mafia boss Rancadore awaits judge's bail ruling

A Sicilian Mafia family boss found living in London could be bailed while Italian authorities seek to extradite him to serve a seven-year jail term.

Domenico Rancadore headed a family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, Italian police claim.

The 64-year-old was arrested on Wednesday at a house in Uxbridge under a European Arrest Warrant.

Domenico Rancadore was described by the Italian deputy prime minister as an "important mobster"

But his lawyers claim "significant deficiencies" in the warrant mean he should be granted bail.

Commenting on the arrest, Italian deputy prime minister and interior minister Angelino Alfano said an "important mobster" had been arrested and he would "go to jail".

Rancadore, a father-of-two, was initially acquitted of Mafia-related crimes after a three-year trial in Italy and came to the UK in 1993.

'Blameless life'

He was said to have been known to his neighbours in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, as Marc Skinner.

But in 1999 he was convicted in his absence of being part of a criminal organisation and sentenced by the Italian authorities to seven years in jail.

In a statement, the Italian Interior Ministry said Rancadore had "played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo".

Under the terms of a European Arrest Warrant issued last year he was arrested on Wednesday at his west London home.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Euan Macmillan, for Rancadore, said there were "significant deficiencies" in the warrant.

His client had come to the UK "as a free man on his own Italian passport with his family".

"He has led a blameless life in this country for the past 20 years," he added.

Remanding Rancadore in custody on Thursday, District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "There are concerns about the validity of the warrant that has come before the court."

Judge Purdy is expected to rule later whether Rancadore can be bailed pending the outcome of legal proceedings against him by the Italian authorities.