Ex-pals of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian B fear he will dodge justice because German cops are taking too long
EX-PALS of the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case said they fear he will escape justice because German detectives are moving too slow.
Convicted paedophile Christian B, 44, was named last year as the man police are investigating for the three-year-old’s disappearance during her family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007.
German prosecutors have claimed to have evidence Madeleine is dead and identified their main suspect as Christian B — a prolific burglar, who has previous convictions for sex crimes against young girls.
He was also convicted of raping a 72-year-old American woman in the same resort where Madeleine went missing in 2005.
But a year after he was named as a prime suspect, the sex offender has not been charged or quizzed over Madeleine's disappearance.
And, people who knew him when he lived on the Algarve now fear he will never face trial, the reports
One ex-pal said: "I can’t believe it’s been a year and nothing seems to have happened.
"The more we remembered about him and read about his past, the more we believed he was the man responsible for taking Madeleine.
The more we remembered about him and read about his past, the more we believed he was the man responsible for taking Madeleine
Christian B's ex-pal
"It’s crazy the German cops haven’t been to see Chris in prison or interviewed him."
Peter Kirkham, an ex-Scotland Yard detective chief inspector, said he suspects the investigation was "rapidly drying up" and said it appeared the German cops were "dragging their feet".
Public prosecutors in the city of Braunschweig have maintained it has "strong evidence" he was guilty.
But investigators have refused to say what proof they have.
Meanwhile, Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry said: "We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive."
Scotland Yard also revealed that a 1980s VW T3 Westphalia white campervan has been linked to the suspect, and was seen in Praia da Luz days before she vanished.
He is also believed to have been living in it in the days and weeks before and after Madeleine's disappearance.
A 1993 Jaguar XJR6 has also been connected to the German sex offender, with one of the two vehicles believed to have been used the kidnapping of Madeleine.
They also revealed his phone was in the resort on the night the toddler vanished.
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He was convicted in Germany in 1994 of abusing a six-year-old girl in a playground and exposing himself to another child
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Then 17-year-old, was handed a two-year juvenile sentence but later moved to Portugal where he set up home in the coastal town of Lago.s and kept his past secret.
Christian B’s lawyer Friedrich Fulscher had said his client “denies any involvement” in the McCann case.
