By Lucy Caulkett-
A crucial vehicle used by the key suspect in the Madelaine McCann case was destroyed by cops without being inspected for clues about the missing girl because they were unaware of a known fact he was a convicted paedophile.
This was despite the fact the German admitted he was a convicted child abuser after appearing in court in Portugal for theft in 2006.
Brueckner told the sitting judge in that case that he served 18 months in prison for a sex attack on a youth in his homeland when he was a teenager.
The vehicle was seized by Portuguese authorities following the British girl’s disappearance in May 2007.
Court files reveal the vehicle was dismantled after being valued at £90 by a court seeking payment of a fine linked to the German’s theft conviction. The van is understood to have been taken apart at an unidentified breaker’s yard in May 2009 after the £90 valuation by a court-appointed expert.
White Van driven by Bruecner may have had clues of missing Maddie
Brueckner’s suspected involvement in Madeleine’s abduction only came to light after an informant came forward claiming the drifter confessed to him in a bar that he knew what had happened to her.
German prosecutors say they have evidence missing Madelein is dead and are conducting a murder inquiry
Missing Madelaine Image: PA
Detectives investigating Madeleine’s disappearance in Praia da Luz in May 2007 questioned dozens of known sex offenders living in the area. Brueckner was never interviewed because Portuguese detectives said they did not know he had any criminal past associated with children.
Sexual Offences
In his first court appearance at the Judicial Court of Portimao, he told the judge he was convicted of thefts and sexual offences at age 17.
The sexual offences was in relation to the molestation of a girl, aged six in Bavaria, in 1994. It is unclear if the admission was passed to police by court officials.
Last week a police source told Portuguese newspaper Expresso that “nearly all” Portuguese and foreign sex offenders were questioned.
The paper said: “Although Brueckner arrived in Portugal in 1996 after fleeing a child sex abuse conviction, he wasn’t on that list of predators.
Last week a police source told Portuguese newspaper Expresso that “nearly all” Portuguese and foreign sex offenders were questioned.
The paper said: “Although Brueckner arrived in Portugal in 1996 after fleeing a child sex abuse conviction, he wasn’t on that list of predators.
“That’s because back then, there was not the exchange of information between European police forces that takes place today.
“That case of sexual abuse of a minor did not cross the German borders and that meant the PJ didn’t know about it.
Image: ITALIAN CARABINIERI PRESS OFFICE