Last week we told how Freddie Scappaticci had fled to Cassino, a cosy little town
in the south of Italy, after bolting from Belfast when his cover was blown
last year.
He basked in the luxurious surrounds of a family-run hotel, splashing out
thousands of pounds on good food and wine as he lay low plotting his next
move.
But today we can reveal that the double agent, who has pocketed a fortune
from a generation of informing, is planning to build his own secret
hideaway outside the town in the beautiful coastal resort of Gaeta.
Regarded as one of the most exclusive stretches of coast between Rome and
Naples it boasts private beaches, classy marinas and top-notch restaurants
as well as breathtaking scenery.
A big fan of this area of Italy where his father Daniele hailed from,
Scappaticci is known to have travelled to the idyllic seaside town more
than once.
Nestling between Rome and Naples just 20 miles from Cassino, Scappaticci's
made it clear that he wants to build a sprawling villa from the thousands
of pounds he's amassed in tout money.
He'll have the pick of rich sloping land which boast acres of orange and
lemon groves and offer stunning views of the coastline stretching along the
world-famous Bay of Naples.
Scappaticci is also known to be looking at sites further along the coast,
particularly off the Bay of Naples on the paradise island of Capri.
But the British Army mole - who killed as a Provo yet was given a free
reign by the Army - may now never get to live out his dream of retiring to
a stylish Italian-style villa for fear of attacks from the Provos he
stabbed in the back.
When his cover was blown by us last May, he bolted to the La Pace hotel -
which ironically means 'The Peace' in Italian - to escape the harsh
questions being asked back home.
It was already his favourite holiday spot where he has planned to escape to
forever.
However, on his last sudden visit, he spent six weeks and a massive £5,000
at the hotel, to be away from prying eyes.
But the life of lies and the reign of terror he led have come back to haunt
him.
Stakeknife, who killed informers alongside 'innocent' volunteers he chose
to brand as informers, would be foolish to try to retire to Cassino.
Plans that he has had to scrap have been at least 10 years in the making,
but they came crashing down in moments.
He had transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds in tout money from a
secret bank account in Gibraltar to an account in Italy.
Even though Scap, 58, would be surrounded by distant relatives in Cassino,
there would be no family unit he could call on to save him from the future
clutches of the IRA.
Meanwhile local journalists from the popular regional daily Il Messaggero
are set to probe Scappaticci and his Italian connections.
One reporter said they were shocked to learn about Scappaticci.
"No one has ever heard of him... it's certainly quite a shock to think
that someone of that calibre has been sitting under our noses the whole
time."
