Most wanted Mafia boss ‘could walk free after arrest’

Domenico Rancadore, who is wanted by the Italian authorities, was arrested at his home in Uxbridge, west London, on Wednesday under a European Arrest Warrant.

The father-of-two had been living as a house husband under the alias Marc Skinner since 1993 while his wife, Anne, ran a travel agency to support the family.

Today, as he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Quentin Purdy said: “The warrant may be such it has to be discharged.

“There are concerns about the validity of the warrant that has come before the court.”

‘Significant deficiencies’

Defending, Euan Macmillan agreed that there were “significant deficiencies” with the document.

The judge remanded Mr Rancadore in custody until a hearing tomorrow at 2pm, when he will decide whether the Italian can be released on bail.

Domenico Rancadore arrested on European arrest warrant alleging he has outstanding sentence to serve for participation in Mafia association

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 8, 2013

Wearing a pale blue shirt with dark trousers, Mr Rancadore was helped by an Italian interpreter as he sat in the dock holding a copy of the arrest warrant.

The former teacher is wanted in Italy to serve a seven-year jail term for being part of a criminal organisation between 1987 and 1995, having been convicted in his absence in 1999.

He was “a man of honour” in Mafia group Cosa Nostra, controlling Trabia, near Palermo in Sicily, the court heard.

When police arrived at his home at around 7pm yesterday, he tried to flee through the back door of his home, but came face to face with a waiting detective constable.

A spokesman said: “Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service extradition unit arrested Domenico Rancadore on a European arrest warrant alleging that he has an outstanding sentence of seven years imprisonment to serve for participation in Mafia association between December 17 1987 and April 13 1995 in Palermo, Italy.

“He was taken into police custody and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.”