Mobster was enraged when prosecutor scuppered his plot to

A nine-year-old in Sicily has been given the highest-possible security cover after a notorious mafia boss vowed to kill his magistrate father 'and all his spawn'.

The magistrate enraged the 'bloodthirsty' mobster by foiling a plan he had to try and avoid jail.

The mafia boss planned to pose as a turncoat to avoid jail but continued to manage his criminal network.

Police protection: A 24-hour armed guard and anti-bomb surveillance team has been provided in the all the places the boy's family visit regularly

Ordering the assassination of the prosecutor, the mafia boss reportedly said: 'You have to do it no matter who he's with, and if his male child is there, all the better. His spawn shouldn't survive, either.'

Fugitive: Matteo Messina Denaro - who is not thought to be linked to this case - is one of the most senior mafia bosses in Sicily

The boy's family – including his mother and 12-year-old sister – are considered to be at 'very high risk' by the interior ministry's National Committee for Order and Public Security.

The Cosa Nostra mobster is considered 'one of the most bloodthirsty' in all of Sicily, according to Italian media.

A 24-hour armed guard and anti-bomb surveillance has been provided in the all the places they visit regularly.

The danger was revealed by wire-tapped conversations between the boss and family members which referred to an attack that was currently in preparation.

A statement by ANM, the Italian magistrates association, said that the new danger to the magistrate and his family in Sicily showed 'the daily commitment and sacrifice' made by its members.