MADDIE COPS QUIZ BRITISH BARMAID
Hunt for new clues as resort visited five times
‘IT’S SO STRANGE’: Carol was shocked to be asked about ex
A BARMAID told of her shock yesterday after police hunting for Madeleine McCann quizzed her about an ex-boyfriend.
British expat Carol Hickman – who works just 450 metres from where Madeleine vanished in Portugal – said two plain-clothed officers asked about decorator Michael Jehle, 51.
The police, who were acting for Scotland Yard, wanted phone numbers and any Facebook contact for the German.
Another of his exes was quizzed shortly after Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007 – and had her freezer searched.
Yesterday, baffled Carol described Mr Jehle as “a friendly hippy”. And when our team tracked him down he said he had nothing to hide.
Carol, who works at Kelly’s bar in the resort of Praia da Luz, said the officers were trying to trace her ex and another of his old flames, a German woman.
The 59-year-old, who has lived on the Algarve since 1997, said: “They came into the bar asking for me. They said, ‘You can thank Her Majesty for this visit.’ That’s when I knew they were from Scotland Yard.
“They asked if I could remember May 3, 2007. Of course I remember. I was in the bar working and we had a call from friends saying a little girl had vanished. We went out on the search and we were out all night.”
Carol said the police visited her two weeks ago. She added: “They were asking all these questions about Madeleine and were interested in my German ex-boyfriend.
“There’s no reason to suspect him at all. He was a friendly hippy. I just find it so strange, the whole thing.”
It is the second time Kelly’s bar – a four-minute walk from the McCanns’ apartment – has been linked to the investigation. On the night Madeleine vanished, retired businessman Martin Smith, from Co Louth, Ireland, was there with his family.
As they left they saw a man carrying a small blonde-haired girl which they still believe to be Madeleine. Yesterday, Martin said: “I’d say it was definitely the child.”
The latest developments came as it was revealed for the first time that Scotland Yard detectives visited Portugal five times in 2019.
There is nothing to suggest Mr Jehle or the German woman are considered suspects. It is thought they could help police obtain new information to help in the search.
Mr Jehle now lives in Monte Novo, 20 miles from Praia da Luz. He told us: “I don’t know anything about Maddie McCann. [The police] know where I live, they have my phone number, they can call me.”
In 2007 another of Mr Jehle’s ex-partners told how she had been quizzed by police. On a second visit they reportedly checked her fridge, cupboards and pantry.
British police launched Operation Grange, in 2013. Some £12million has been spent so far. Last night the McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “Kate and Gerry are always encouraged to hear police are chasing potential leads and are very grateful to British and Portuguese police for the work they are doing.”