German Prosecutors Have 'Strong New Evidence' Against Madeleine McCann Suspect

German prosecutors have revealed that they have 'strong new evidence' that could see Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner charged.

Madeleine went missing in Portugal back in 2007 and authorities have been searching for her ever since.

Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told The Sun: "We have strong new evidence against the suspect.

"The investigation is proceeding well and we hope to have an update soon.

"I cannot say when for certain but we are working very hard to solve this case and others where he is a suspect."

Scotland Yard

Brueckner is a convicted paedophile who is currently serving a seven-year sentence in a German jail for the rape of a woman in Portugal in 2005.

Wolters and Scotland Yard launched a public appeal for any information about the man last year, but he had been on their radar for many years before this.

Speaking to Sky News in June, Wolters said: "By that time Christian B had been under investigation already for three years. We did not take the decision to go public lightly.

"Since then we have found a lot more pieces of the puzzle, but I cannot reveal what they are.

"We are making progress and have the same number of investigators working on the case, but we don't yet have enough to charge the suspect."

He added: "There is no time limit to our investigation, but we won't keep it going forever."

PA

Madeleine was three years old when she went missing on May 3 2007 while on holiday in Portugal.

Following her 18th birthday earlier this year, parents Kate and Gerry said: "We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again.

"As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what.

"We still receive so many positive words and good wishes despite the years that have gone by. It all helps and for that we are truly grateful - thank you."

Topics: UK News, crime, No-Article-Matching

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey