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<\/p>\nA BRITISH man has appeared in court after being arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman in Italy.<\/p>\n
Michele Faiers, 66, was found stabbed to death at the home she shared with her partner Michael Whitbread, 74, on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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Michael Whitbread, a retired driving<\/span> instructor and shop owner, was arrested at his daughter's home in England later that day.<\/p>\n He was identified as the prime suspect shortly after Michele's body was discovered by a friend lying in blood with seven stab wounds.<\/p>\n Italian authorities requested international help after learning Whitbread probably left the country by car.<\/p>\n The 74-year-old appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court for extradition proceedings on Saturday and was asked if he consented to be extradited to Italy.<\/p>\n He said he did not, and was ordered to appear in custody at the same court on November 9 for a preliminary hearing.<\/p>\n Darren Watts for the Italian legal authorities told the court: "This is a murder of the requested person's partner.<\/p>\n "He arrived in the UK on Wednesday and was arrested."<\/p>\n The court heard Whitbread is a grandfather with close family connections in the UK, who was visiting loved ones but had plans to return to Italy.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n District judge John Zani made clear on Saturday that "this is an accusation" and the 74-year-old had not been convicted of anything.<\/p>\n He told Whitbread: "The Italian authorities wish you to return to face trial there because it is a very serious allegation.<\/p>\n "In the event you are convicted, a very lengthy sentence of imprisonment would almost be inevitable."<\/p>\n The judge added: "You live in Italy and say that you were visiting family.<\/p>\n "I cannot ignore the fact that your visit here happened soon after the allegation of murder happened but a few days ago."<\/p>\n He said the court is "working towards a full hearing" at Westminster Magistrates' Court on February 26 next<\/span> year.<\/p>\n Leicestershire Police previously confirmed a suspect was arrested in Shepshed, Leicestershire on Wednesday.<\/p>\n A force spokesman said: "The man, who was arrested in Shepshed on Wednesday night, has not been charged with a criminal offence. The hearing is listed as part of the extradition process.<\/p>\n "Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit major crime team are continuing to liaise with the Foreign, Commonwealth<\/span> and Development Office, the extradition team in the CPS's Serious Economic and Organised Crime and International Directorate and Italian authorities regarding the incident."<\/p>\n Michele and Whitbread ran a scubadiving school in Torquay, Devlon but sold up and retired to Italy in 2015.<\/p>\n The 66-year-old grandmother had only recently visited the UK for her daughter's wedding, according to her former neighbours<\/span>.<\/p>\n Neighbours\u00a0at her old home in Torquay told The Sun they remembered her as a "lovely person".<\/p>\nMore on Michael Whitbread<\/h2>\n
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<\/picture>'FLED ACROSS EUROPE' <\/span><\/p>\nBrit murder suspect 'drove to UK after stabbing wife in Italy'<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>\u2018MURDER\u2019 HUNT <\/span><\/p>\nBrit mum knifed to death in Italy had been missing for DAYS\u2026as partner 'fled'<\/h3>\n
Most read in The Sun<\/h2>\n
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