Evil rapist ‘tipped off’ by police 7 years ago

BUNGLING German police tipped off Christian Brueckner that he was officially involved in the Madeleine McCann investigation seven years ago, it emerged yesterday.

Incredibly investigators even wrote him a letter politely asking if he could come to their headquarters to be interviewed.

Police sources said this “heads up” gave Brueckner the perfect opportunity to dispose of potential evidence linking him to the little girl – such as a video or “trophy”.

Brueckner videoed himself raping a 72-year-old American in Praia da Luz in 2005 two years before the youngster disappeared.

Criminology experts said the police action in alerting Brueckner was a “serious mistake”.

One said: “It is common in Germany to first gather information in the area and not to attack a suspect head-on.”

Targeted

Brueckner received the letter from police on November 4, 2013.

A single sheet of paper headed “Subpoena as a witness” went on: “B. [Brueckner] should come to the police station Braunschweig for ‘interrogation’, Commissioner 1, room no.H-118.

“The reason: ‘Missing Madeleine McCann (crime scene Portugal)’. Personal check of Christian B.”

It’s believed Portuguese police contacted their German counterparts to ask about him.

Data from mobile phone companies now proves he was in the Portuguese resort on the night Maddie disappeared in 2003.

Meanwhile, Brueckner’s new lawyer was yesterday targeted, just 72 hours after choosing to represent the evil rapist.

Johann Schwenn, one of Germany’s most prominent lawyers, arrived at his offices to find windows smashed and “shame on you” daubed on the walls. Frightened staff alerted police who are investigating.