The German paedophile who is the prime suspect in the abduction of the British toddler Madeleine McCann has been cleared of sex offences against five other girls and women in a significant setback for the investigators.
The acquittal means Christian Brueckner may be released from prison early next year and is also likely to raise hurdles to charging him with Madeleine’s kidnap and murder.
Christian Brueckner denies involvement in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance
ALEXANDER KOERNER/GETTY IMAGES
Prosecutors in Germany say they are convinced that Brueckner, 47, a prolific criminal with a record of rape and sexual abuse, took the three-year-old girl from her parents’ rented holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007.
They have yet to level any charges against him in the McCann case and he has repeatedly denied any involvement.
Instead Brueckner, who is nearing