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What we know about the suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance

The German national was 30 years old when three-year-old Madeleine vanished in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007.

NEITHER BRITISH NOR German police have named the suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann – but here’s what we do know about him.

He is a German national, now aged 43. At the time Madeleine vanished on 3 May 2007 in Praia da Luz, Portugal, he was 30 years old and may have looked between 25 and his early 30s.

Christian Hoppe, from Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), told the country’s ZDF television channel that he is currently serving a prison sentence for a sex crime and has two previous convictions for “sexual contact with girls”.

He is known to have frequented the Praia da Luz area between 1995 and 2007, with some short spells in Germany.

Hans Christian Wolters, a spokesman for the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor’s Office, said the suspect was regularly living in the Algarve between 1995 and 2007, where he worked jobs, including in the gastronomy business, but funded his lifestyle by committing crimes, including thefts in hotel complexes and apartments, as well as drug dealing.

The suspect is described as having a “transient lifestyle”, living in his camper van for days at a time.

An appeal on German Crimewatch-style programme XY said he was linked to houses in Portugal – including one between Praia da Luz and Lagos.

A former neighbour told Sky News he rented a farm building from an English owner from the mid-90s, leaving a year before Madeleine disappeared.

“He was always a bit angry, driving fast up and down the lane, and then one day, around 2006, he just disappeared without a word. I think he left some rent unpaid,” the neighbour said.

“About six months later, I was asked to help clean up the place and it was disgusting, absolutely vile. It had been trashed, with broken stuff like computers all over the place.”

2.53997638 PA Images PA Images

At the time of Madeleine’s disappearance, he had access to a distinctive VW T3 Westfalia camper van, from at least April 2007 until sometime after May 2007, which was used in and around the area of Praia da Luz.

It is an early 1980s model, with two-tone markings, a white upper body and a yellow skirting, with a Portuguese registration plate.

Detectives believe he was living in the van for days, possibly weeks, and may have been using it on 3 May 2007.

The suspect has also been linked to a 1993 British Jaguar, model XJR 6, with a German number plate and registered in Germany, which is believed to have been in Praia da Luz and surrounding areas in 2006 and 2007.

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    Mute james
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:26 PM

    They sacked me after two days in the costume….something about a massive chip on my shoulder.

    236
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:33 PM

    Tayto park could do a lot more for kids with special needs.
    Went there recently and my six year who has limited mobility was very disappointed she could go on so little.
    A local fairground in crosshaven was far better she could go on most rides.
    Come on Mr Tayto it won’t cost the earth

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    Mute Ann Mc Loughlin-O'Connor
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:00 PM

    Did you flag your child’s disability to staff? We’ve always had a very positive experience…even told we were welcome to take our sons sn trike with us if it made visiting easier. I do agree that there’s not a lot that they can go on but tbh I find that with lots of theme parks. Recently attended a party for my son’s friend…all the children had SN and the staff couldn’t have been nicer…learned all the kids names and made them all feel so welcome. Just our experience though. I’m not dissing yours in any way.

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:12 PM

    but I don’t see why you should have to ring ahead ? they should cater for all children . I can understand if its for a party but not just to visit the park .

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    Mute Ann Mc Loughlin-O'Connor
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:16 PM

    I didn’t say ring ahead. I just asked if they made staff aware of child’s limited mobility…sometimes there are ways around things. I’m a parent of a SN child and sometimes it helps to make others aware and ask about alternatives but as I said I do agree that there are limited things to do in Tayto Park as there are in other themed parks for children with disabilities. It’s definitely something that needs addressing.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:22 PM

    Hi Anne. No we didn’t flag it in advance. Didn’t see need too tbh. I agree staff were very friendly.
    I had issues with the playground, sand isn’t conducive to pushing a wheelchair.
    My daughter can walk short distances but the playground wasn’t suitable for her.
    When a local playground has more a child with special needs can go on then Tayto park has no excuse.
    I know it’s in a different league and we haven’t visited it but I hear Euro Disney has loads for special needs kids.
    Surely they could take on board some of the attractions they have if not all.

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    Mute Ann Mc Loughlin-O'Connor
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:26 PM

    I think you should definitely give them that feedback. I’m not sure re Eurodisney either but trip planned for November so I’ll let you know then! I’ve never phoned in advance but have certainly asked at pay point. You’re right though there definitely should be more inclusion for our children which is why I say you should email them your feedback.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:28 PM

    Sorry Anne. Suzie mentioned ringing ahead. As for flagging it she was in a wheelchair so it was obvious she had special needs.
    I’d be slow to return certainly with our daughter until Tayto park improves its attractions.
    On the other hand out 8 year old loved the park but his abled bodied

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:38 PM

    I emailed them the day after and received an email saying they intend to install a carousel sometime in 2015.
    Few days later I emailed with a link to a feature in the Irish examiner of a new playground opened in cork designed specially for special needs kids but sadly have yet to receive a response over a week later. Enjoy eurodisney hopefully u can share your views. I’m on face book and twitter

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:44 PM

    maybe I shouldn’t have said ring ahead , but what I mean is the you shouldn’t have to let me them know , they should cater regardless . I have been to euro Disney and u can tell you that most , if not , every ride is wheelchair accessible , ramps everywhere , very accommodating and the staff are great .

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:54 PM

    That’s what I heard as well. Love to bring our daughter to eurodisney someday. Be hard at the moment.
    Certainly Tayto park would benifit from visiting Euro Disney to take on board a few ideas.
    As I said to Anne it’s poor from Tayto park when a local fairground in cork has more to go on than Tayto park,

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    Mute hit shappens
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:54 PM

    i would’nt say euro Disney and tayto park are really comparable suzie

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 10:06 PM

    I’m not comparing , the question was brought up about euro Disney that’s all . when tayto park was being built this is something that should’ve been factored in automatically . children with disabilities or children in wheelchairs should be able to get on the rides .

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    Mute hit shappens
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    Aug 9th 2015, 10:11 PM

    and Why should they have to ring ahead suzie?you brought that up as well

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 10:23 PM

    diarmuid , I do hope you get to bring your daughter one day , you will have nothing to worry about when you get there .that’s the way it should be .

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 10:35 PM

    hit I did being that up , in response to another poster who asked did they not flag it with the staff . I have already explained what I meant by saying that .

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    Mute Suzie Sunsine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 10:36 PM

    * bring *

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Aug 9th 2015, 11:20 PM

    Yes I certainly wouldn’t be rushing back to Tayto park. In 2015 it’s poor that they very little attractions that are accessible to kids with special needs. Yes euro Disney is on the agenda for the future

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    Mute Tordelback
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:00 AM

    Very interesting discussion. When we first went to (generally excellent) Tayto Park, my youngest was 2 or so, and there was very little for her to do – but at least there was the giant sandpit/playground. I never really thought to extend this experience to include children with disabilities, who mightn’t even be able to access that. While the big attractions at TP are aimed at the older able-bodied child, there really is no reason that a fraction of the budget invested in those rides couldn’t be focused on providing attractions for kids with more limited mobility. It really is just a matter of thought and consideration.

    That said, I found Tayto Park a very well-run, friendly and enjoyable experience – making it all the more important that it be more inclusive.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Aug 10th 2015, 9:02 AM

    Yes it wouldn’t cost the earth to include a few attractions that both able bodied and special needs kids can use.
    The playground is one obvious example no thought given to anyone with special needs.
    On the other hand though our 8 year old had a great time but even his fun was some what curtailed as Sarah made it quite clear she was bored and not happy which did limit our time there

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    Mute catherine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:26 PM

    How many times do I have to say it. Mr Tayto is real!

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    Mute Pete Robinson
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:24 PM

    And this is news !!

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:26 PM

    There’s a man in there?

    31
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    Mute The Girl
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:34 PM

    Yes it’s news on the journal. If you want serious news all day go to CNN. Let the journal be. It mixes crazy news, good news, bad news and no news so its readers don’t get depressed from all the craziness in the world. You don’t like it, move on…

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    Mute Qwerty
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:36 PM

    Hunky Dorys is the last bastion of good crisps left in this brave new world of continually reduced salt and fat content in our crisps, done in order to appease the healthy eating advocates in their vain attempt to stop fatties from eating unhealthily.

    I ate a packet of McCoy salt and vinegar crisps recently and I was sorely disappointed. It tasted like just vinegar and no salt. Back about 13 odd years ago McCoy crisps had noticeable grease on them. They felt heavier and had good taste to boot.

    Hunky Dorys is the last samurai of good old-fashioned unhealthy crisps. These are dark times we live in, dark times indeed.

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    Mute catherine
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:41 PM

    Take your Hunkey dory crazy talk elsewhere. This is Tayto country.

    44
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    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:47 PM

    Hunky dorys are made by tayto!

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    Mute Qwerty
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:50 PM

    Tayto is ok. But it would be better if the packet was four times the size and jammed full of crisps. It’s on certain issues like this I wish we took a leaf from America’s book. Massive bags of crisps laden with msg (for good flavour), salt and fat. At least Hunky Dorys still has msg. I don’t expect it to last though. Nothing is sacred these days.

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    Mute dave ocallaghan
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    Aug 9th 2015, 8:57 PM

    Did u not ever have the big big bag???!, it must be 6 or 8 normal bags in one

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    Mute Qwerty
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    Aug 9th 2015, 9:08 PM

    Yes, but I shouldn’t have to buy multiple small packets in order to eat a satisfying amount of crisps in one go. There should be a much larger single bag.

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    Mute Armonline
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    Aug 9th 2015, 10:22 PM

    Tayto and hunky Dorys have a big bag that is s not a multipack

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    Mute ken
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    Aug 10th 2015, 6:43 AM

    Was in the the park at the weekend when you leave used to get a family size bag of crisps to take with you now you get one small pack €300 spent getting more like Walt Disney

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    Mute Andy Murray
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    Aug 10th 2015, 3:46 PM

    Why does there have to be a model on a bench with her legs in the air? FFS. Every news story in Ireland has an obligatory model cheesing the picture up for no reason. It’s as if we won’t read a story unless there’s legs on show. We’re better than this.

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