EXTRADITION proceedings against the man who murdered Heather Barnett were adjourned on Thursday morning.

The Italian authorities are seeking the temporary extradition of Danilo Restivo to stand trial for the killing of Elisa Claps in 1993.

A hearing was held at Westminster Magistrates’ with a video link to Winchester Prison where the 39-year-old is currently being held.

Restivo, of Chatsworth Road, was jailed for life with no minimum term by Mr Justice Burnett after being found guilty of the murder of Ms Barnett on November 12, 2002.

But the court heard during the seven-week trial that Restivo had also killed schoolgirl Elisa.

The 16-year-old went missing on September 12, 1993 and her body was found in the loft of her home town church by workmen last year.

Though he has never faced trial in Italy, the Barnett trial heard damning evidence against Restivo in relation to the Claps case.

Delivering his sentence, Mr Justice Burnett said it was clear Restivo did murder Elisa Claps as well and he added: “I am sentencing you as though you have killed before.”

The Echo understands that the Italian authorities may now apply for a temporary transfer.

It understands two days have been set aside for a hearing in Salerno, November 8 and 10, in which lawyers for Restivo will accept the prosecution case but he will not enter a plea.