Housewife facing extradition is senior Mafia boss, claim prosecutors

A BRITISH housewife and mother of two was a "key figure" in one of Italy's most feared Mafia organisations, a court heard yesterday.

Ann Hathaway, 44, is facing extradition to Sicily over claims that she ran her husband's criminal empire after he was jailed for murder.

However, her lawyer said she was "bewildered" by the allegations, which carry a maximum sentence of 24 years, and wept in court as she was remanded in custody.

Investigators in Italy believe she passed on instructions from her jailed husband, Cosa Nostra boss Antonio Rinzivillo, to criminal associates and collected earnings and laundered money.

She is one of 88 people, including nine women, facing trial in Italy over alleged Mafia activities. A key witness in the trial is a former Cosa Nostra associate, Angelo Bernascone, who has received death threats for co- operating with authorities, London's City of Westminster magistrates court heard.

Hathaway was arrested at her home in Middleton, Manchester, on Thursday by officers from Scotland Yard's Extradition Unit.

Hathaway was remanded in custody until 5 February for her extradition hearing.