Domenico Rancadore case: Mafia boss bail ruling challenged by CPS

Domenico Rancadore was found living in Uxbridge under the name Marc Skinner

A decision to grant bail to a mafia boss who has been on the run for more than a decade is being challenged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Since his arrest in August, Domenico Rancadore, who was convicted in Italy in his absence in 1999 for being part of criminal organisation Cosa Nostra has twice been denied bail.

But now Westminster magistrates have granted him bail on a £50,000 surety.

The CPS said the 64-year-old remains in custody pending an appeal hearing.

It is expected to be held later in the week.

The conditions of the father of two's bail agreed earlier include that he lives and sleeps at home, has an electronic tag and signs on twice a day at a police station.

'Extortion and racketeering'

Westminster Magistrates Court has previously rejected his bail applications, saying there were no guarantees he would not go on the run.

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

He was convicted in his absence in 1999 and sentenced by the Italian authorities to seven years in jail.

Rancadore, who came to the UK in 1993, was arrested on 7 August at his home in Uxbridge, west London, where he was living under the name Marc Skinner with his English wife and children.

A CPS spokesperson said: "Domenico Rancadore was granted conditional bail today by the court and we have lodged an appeal against this decision.

"Mr Rancadore will remain in custody until this appeal is heard."

Rancadore's solicitor Karen Todner of the law firm Kaim Todner, said in a statement: "Mr Rancadore continues to oppose extradition.

"Kaim Todner have elicited reports and information throwing doubt on the application for extradition and are hopeful of successfully defeating the application."

The full extradition hearing is due to take place in February.