Housewife accused of helping Mafia agrees to Italy extradition

A British housewife accused of helping to run her jailed Mafia boss husband's multimillion-pound crime empire from her home in Manchester has agreed to be extradited to Italy.

Ann Hathaway, 44, told City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, in London, yesterday of her surprise decision to agree to be extradited to Sicily where she could be jailed for a maximum of 24 years over alleged Mafia activities.

Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob, for the defence, told the court: "There have been recent developments and she does wish to consent to her extradition ... because that will be quicker."

No further explanation was given to the court.

District Judge Nicholas Evans told Hathaway: "Having consented to your extradition, and that being in writing and is irrevocable, I order your extradition to Italy.

"The effect of that is that you will be remanded to custody and returned to Italy within 10 days. The ... arrangements will be made for your delivery next week.Relevant authorities will be told about it this afternoon."

It is claimed the mother of two collected illegal earnings and laundered money upon instructions from her husband, the Cosa Nostra boss Antonio Rinzivillo.

He was jailed for 30 years in 2001 for drug trafficking and the murder of Milan lawyer Antonio Mirabelle.

Hathaway was arrested at her home in Green Street, in Middleton, Manchester, by officers from Scotland Yard's extradition unit on 18 January.

Italian authorities want Hathaway to stand trial as one of 88 people over alleged Mafia activities.