Christian Brueckner (left) is a key suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (Image: Phil Harris)(Image: Phil Harris)

Madeleine McCann's parents' dignified two-sentence response as prime suspect cleared of rape of Irish woman

Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner has been cleared of all charges against him, including the rape of an Irish holiday rep in Portugal

08 Oct 2024, 10:59 by Martin Fricker · Irish Mirror

Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner has been cleared of all charges against him, including the rape of an Irish holiday rep in Portugal in 2004.

The 47-year-old had been on trial accused of raping Irish woman Hazel Behan and exposing himself to children in the Algarve. The charges are unconnected to the Madeleine case, which the German paedophile denies any involvement in.

Three year-old Madeleine disappeared while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Algarve, Portugal in May 2007.

Prosecutors called last week for Brueckner to be jailed for 15 years for the alleged crimes in Portugal. But Judge Ute Engemann ruled in July that the evidence against him was "insufficient" which at the time was seen as a strong indication he would be acquitted.

After Breuckner was cleared, a source close to Kate and Gerry said today: "They will not be commenting on Breuckner. They have never commented on him."

The case against Brueckner relied on the evidence of Helge Busching, who claimed to have seen videos of Brueckner raping two women. Busching also allegedly tipped off police about the German paedophile's alleged involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.

He alleged Brueckner told him "she didn't scream" when they discussed the infamous case in a Spanish bar. The pair were pals in Praia da Luz in the mid-2000s.

The German is suspected of abducting and killing three-year-old Madeleine in Praia da Luz in May 2007. He is currently serving a seven-year prison term for raping an American pensioner in the Portuguese resort. After being cleared Brueckner could be freed next year - which is a nightmare scenario for Madeleine investigators.

As it stands, Brueckner’s sentence will be served on September 17, 2025, factoring in time served before his previous trial.

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