How police broke news to Mccanns they believe their daughter is dead
gestion that Brueckner abused any pupils.
Another resident, Norbert, who did not want to give his surname, moved into Brueckner’s former base shortly after he moved out.
He said: “He sometimes let children work behind the cash register. There was rubbish everywhere. He was an animal. He held parties here all night and neighbours complained to the police.”
Itinerant Brueckner had a long history of offending and was thrown out of his adopted home because of his criminal behaviour.
Brigitte and Fritz Brueckner had taken baby Christian into their family but sent him to live in a home after Herr Brueckner was injured in a crash and could no longer discipline him.
Brueckner Jnr was eventually arrested in 2018 in Milan before being sent to Germany to stand trial for the
2005 rape.
His record contains a total of 17 entries, including a conviction for the sexual abuse of a child in 1994 when he was 17, and a 2016 conviction for abusing another child and possession of child sex abuse images.
He lived in the
Algarve between 1995 and 2007, and funded his lifestyle by committing petty crimes.
His mobile phone was in Praia da Luz and someone called it for around an hour shortly before Madeleine, three, was last seen.
MADELEINE Mccann’s parents were told the shattering news that German police believe their daughter is dead during a tearful meeting with British detectives at the family home, writes Tracey Kandhola.
Kate and Gerry, who have not given up hope that their daughter is alive, were told sex fiend and convicted rapist Christian Brueckner had emerged as a highly significant prime suspect in Maddie’s disappearance in Portugal 13 years ago.
It comes as Scotlandyard revealed they have had 400 tip-offs since the German paedophile, 43, was named as a suspect.
The meeting at the Mccanns’ house in Rothley, Leicestershire, is understood to have taken place several days before Met Police revealed details about Brueckner who is in jail for raping an American pensioner.
The UK officers told them there was no concrete proof that Maddie was dead, despite the fears of the German police.
A family friend said: “It was the conversation they always needed to have but have always feared.
“They were told everything from the points of view of all three forces – British, German and Portuguese. It was a very emotional meeting and lots of tears later shed.”
Heart doctor Gerry, who was 52 on Friday, and GP turned medical worker Kate, 52, are anxiously waiting for new leads.
Brueckner refuses to co-operate with police and, as yet, they do not have enough evidence to charge him.
A Scotlandyard spokesman said: “We are pleased with the amount of calls and emails coming in.”
A candle in Rothley, which usually burns around the clock as a symbol of hope for Madeleine and is re-lit daily by the church warden, has remained unlit sincewednesday.
A source close to the German police investigation said: “Brueckner is saying nothing to officers so Kate and Gerry could be left in limbo for months, which is agonising for them.”
It is understood German police were shown photos or video of Maddie’s body or given a graphic account of how she died.
The Mccann friend said: “Kate and Gerry wanted to know every single detail no matter how painful and harrowing.
“They have been told everything but sworn to secrecy and were told not to share any news, even with close family.”
‘They wanted to know every detail, no matter how painful and harrowing’