Sunday 27 April 2008

I feel desperately for Kate McCann - her life has been ruined, she loathes the spotlight

By JUSTINE MCGUINESS
Last updated at 00:20am on 27th April 2008

I will never forget the pain that registered across their faces: primordial pain that no actor, however skilled, could reproduce.

Kate McCann didn't make a sound, her husband Gerry sat upright in his seat.

"You realise that if you get your daughter back you might not know her," warned the Portuguese child-welfare expert.

"What she will have experienced will have changed her beyond recognition."

It was the moment, I suspect, that Kate and Gerry began to realise that there would be no truly happy ending, whatever the outcome of their daughter Madeleine's disappearance.

It was mid-summer last year and the meeting was held in a second-floor apartment, my make-shift office, incongruously decorated, it seemed, with primary colours, like the set of a breakfast TV programme.

Sunshine streamed through the open window and the sound of children playing outside filled the room.

The warning came without preamble and jolted our senses. I'm sure it was not meant to be delivered quite so insensitively; the fact that English was not the woman's first language must have accounted, in part at least, for its bluntness.

Afterwards, Gerry told me how deeply upset it had made Kate. I didn't need to be told. Kate's emotions at such times weren't difficult to read.

For four extraordinary months I was at her side. At first hand, I witnessed her despair and devastation, the times, as well, when her spirits lifted – however fleetingly – with every scrap of positive information.

And once she was made a suspect, amid ceaseless media speculation, I watched her life fall apart.
Almost every morning she and Gerry would come to see me, usually armed with croissants which they bought in Baptista's, the village store, after dropping off their then two-year-old twins Amelie and Sean at kids' club.

I could tell instantly if Kate had had a good night or not.

If she was upset, possibly because of what had been in the papers or because of the approach of a poignant anniversary, I would know better than to offer a trite: "What's wrong?"

Instead I'd ask her to sit down and let her know that I was making tea. We always drank tea, endlessly, it seemed.

And if Kate wanted to talk about what was on her mind, she would do so. I just let her come out with it.

I began acting as their Press spokeswoman in June, having been interviewed by Gerry in London. They struck me as a couple deeply committed to each other.

They treated each other with care and great respect. And as well as displaying affection, they communicated constantly.

If they were physically apart they would be on the phone, all the time, and not just because of their extraordinary situation – I imagine they were always like that.

They are both intelligent. Kate is sharp and witty and self-deprecating; she is naturally shy but is the sort of woman you can sit down with and have a decent conversation.

Gerry is presentable and single-minded, an alpha male to his fingertips. Indeed, I expect even he would admit that his manner may have rubbed some of the Portuguese police up the wrong way at times.

On the first day I met Kate, they were waiting for me at Faro airport, and greeted me with a friendly: "Hello, Justine."

In the car on the way to Praia da Luz we set to work straight away, finalising plans to release balloons on the beach later that day to mark the 50th day since Madeleine's disappearance.
When the balloon launch was over, I watched as Portuguese women touched and hugged Kate, offering their support and telling her to have courage. It was deeply moving.

Later, Kate took me on a tour of the village. "That's the apartment," she whispered, nodding towards the place from where Madeleine had disappeared.

She also pointed out the home of Robert Murat, a suspect in the case, and the church that provided so much support to her.

Justine says that on the flight home she remembers thinking that unless Madeleine was found, the McCanns would never be able to fully rebut speculation and rebuild their lives.

Meal times were always a family affair. At supper, it occurred to me just how ordinary this scene would have appeared to an outsider. A normal family, passing the salad around the table and laughing with their children.

There were quite a few light moments: I remember how Kate was frequently teased about her intense dislike of sweetcorn.

There might also be talk about relatives coming out to join them, or other practical matters, but rarely during meal times, because of the children, talk of Madeleine.

Sometimes the twins, who began learning to talk in Praia, mentioned Madeleine themselves, however.

I remember Amelie saying: "That's Madeleine's" as she pointed at Cuddle Cat, the toy Kate carried with her at all times because it reminded her of the daughter she loved and missed.
Once, I remember Gerry's sister Trish saying to Kate with a smile: "Don't you think it's time Cuddle Cat had a bath?~" And on about Day 71 she finally did, a fact not lost on the photographers.

During the many conversations I had with the couple we spoke of many things, not just Madeleine.

They were interested in my voluntary work with the Liberal Democrats (I contested West Dorset in 2005 for the Lib Dems at the General Election) and I remember how we laughed about the story of Charles Kennedy, the party's former leader, being ticked off by police for smoking out of a train window.

And even though Madeleine dominated the news coverage – and, it goes without saying, the couple's thoughts – there were times when they expressed interest in other news from back home.

We spoke, for instance, of the terror attack on Glasgow airport in July. I remember Gerry, a doctor, on hearing the description of the burns one of the suspects suffered when his Jeep struck the terminal and burst into flames, saying straight away that the man would not live. It turned out he was right.

It didn't take long for me to get to know the routine the couple established as a means of getting through each day.

Justine says that if Kate and Gerry were physically apart they would be on the phone, all the time, and not just because of their extraordinary situation.

The first thing Kate did every morning was to say a prayer for Madeleine.

She then got the twins showered and dressed. After getting ready themselves, Kate and Gerry would take the children to kids' club, before stopping off at my apartment to discuss plans for the day.

The twins were a great distraction. They helped give Kate the will to get out of bed each morning.

Several times a week, Kate would go to the Catholic church in Praia. Her faith gave her hope and strength.

And both of them, particularly Gerry, kept themselves busy as a way of dealing with their trauma.

Gerry would work on the computer, sending and answering emails, in one of their rented villa's spare bedrooms which he had converted into an office.

Kate would sit on the veranda outside going through the mountain of letters. If any appeared to contain possible information they were passed straight to the police.

Every letter, even the strangest ones, were read with care. There were often toys for the twins and presents for Madeleine, which remained in their wrapping paper, awaiting her safe return.

The villa was cool and quite dark, and stood at the end of a short private drive. I remember thinking that it offered the McCanns a kind of sanctuary, and I think they felt that way, too.

Any donations were given straight away to the 'Find Madeleine' fund administrator, including all the cheques made out to Kate and Gerry, rather than the fund.

Naturally, Kate and Gerry were also contacted by people who thought they could help find Madeleine. One was Danny Kruegel, a South African former policeman who had invented a machine that, he said, could help locate people by testing a sample of their hair.

It sounds far-fetched. But he had apparently been successful in South Africa. He was very clear that the process was based on science, which appealed to the McCanns.

More recently, Mr Kruegel has been portrayed as something of a crank, but I can only say that at the time he was taken seriously.

After protracted negotiations with the authorities, he came to Portugal. Using samples of hair found on a brush Madeleine used, he set about working out where a search area should be concentrated.

After he left Portugal, Kate told me that Mr Kruegel had taken different readings, none of which really varied, implying that over the days he was in Praia da Luz, Madeleine's position had not changed or she had not moved.

I think the word that was used to describe the readings was "cold". I had the impression Mr Kruegel's machine had indicated where a body might be found.

The police warned Kate and Gerry when they would start the new search. They told me and I contacted the people I liaised with at the Foreign Office, British Embassy in Lisbon and Leicestershire Police.

Everyone was on stand-by, ready and hoping for a breakthrough.

Kate, Gerry and I thought that the reporters in Praia da Luz would spot the police searching, so we were prepared for the inevitable questions and comments.

One morning while I was working, I saw a military-style helicopter circling for what seemed like hours over Praia da Luz.

I thought I would be bombarded with questions about it when I went to see the media later, but not one was forthcoming.

In the event, the search sadly wasn't successful, of course. Once more the hope of a breakthrough had evaporated.

On August 3, we made the 55-mile journey to Huelva, the closest Spanish city to Praia da Luz, to distribute Find Madeleine posters and talk to locals.

It was a visit that would later assume significance, for all the wrong reasons. For it would be later suggested that Madeleine's body was disposed of at this point. How this could be thought possible, I have no idea.

Kate and Gerry were, after all, accompanied by a cameraman, who was filming a documentary, and Kate's old friend Jon Corner.

And as always their every move was shadowed by reporters and photographers. If they had dumped Madeleine's body, someone surely would have witnessed something.

The allegations would come later. Up until that point, at least, the couple's relationship with the police was good.

There were once-a-week meetings to discuss progress and, by and large, the detectives were receptive to ideas from Kate and Gerry, who were careful not to air their impatience at the slow pace of the investigation.

The relationship, which had been characterised by its informality (one weekend Kate and Gerry even went to a barbecue at the home of one of the officers) cooled significantly in mid August.
The meetings all but ended. And the phone calls, once unfailingly cordial, suddenly seemed aggressive and much less frequent.

When the police did ring, I think the detectives did little to disguise their suspicions.
At the same time, stories, apparently leaked by the police, began to appear in the Portuguese Press about the possible involvement of the McCanns in Madeleine's disappearance.

To the British Press I described the couple's relationship with the police during this period as having become more "formal". In truth, it had become downright hostile.

It must have been a few weeks later when, on a Monday afternoon, the McCanns received a call that triggered the second nightmarish phase of Kate's ordeal.

A police officer said that they wanted to question Kate later in the week. And he ended the conversation with a firm, devastating warning: "Kate should expect to be made an 'arguida' [formal suspect]."

Kate screamed in disbelief when she heard she was going to be declared a suspect in her daughter's case.

Everyone said the same thing – it was unbelievable.

So when Kate was interviewed on Thursday and again the following day, when she was indeed made an 'arguida', she was fully aware what was coming.

That did not make it any easier, of course. While Kate was being questioned on Friday morning Gerry was very agitated. He paced around on the phone, speaking to lawyers.

The police seemed to be working on the theory that Kate killed Madeleine, accidentally or otherwise, and that Gerry was instrumental in covering up the death.

After the relentless questioning ended, it was announced publicly that Kate had been made a formal suspect.

Afterwards, I drove Kate away from the police station and was struck by how she appeared both stoical and devastated.

And I got the distinct impression that the police had offered her a deal, or put considerable pressure on her to admit that she harmed Madeleine.

Amazingly, I was also given the impression that her lawyer initially seemed to think she should take the deal and admit she harmed her daughter.

Perhaps he was doing this to test her. I don't know. Either way, Kate was absolutely adamant that she would not be going along with any plea bargaining.

After all, this is a woman with a 'black and white' understanding of the truth.

I told Kate that the twins were being looked after by the wife of Father Haynes Hubbard, parish priest for Praia da Luz, whom Kate and Gerry had come to know well and regard as a much-valued friend.

I said I could take her there or straight to the villa. She wanted to see her children immediately. That was typical of her. Her family was the most important thing in her life.

During the journey back to Praia I reflected on the incredible events of the past week. I was absolutely clear in my own mind about Kate and Gerry's innocence.

While no one is perfect, I simply could not believe that the woman next to me had harmed Madeleine. And I did not believe, as was being suggested, that Gerry masterminded some kind of cover-up.

At the time, I described the allegations publicly as ludicrous. Nothing has happened to change that view. Had I been in any doubt I would have left the campaign immediately and gone to the British police.

But I never understood why they did not take the children with them for supper at the tapas bar on the evening Madeleine disappeared.

My two sisters, one a mother of four, the other a mother of five, have told me that is what they would do, as have plenty of other friends.

But then I don't have three children under the age of four. I, like many others, am hardly in a position to judge. I know it was a decision Kate has always deeply regretted.

A few weeks before Gerry and Kate were made suspects, friends and family had urged Kate to return to Britain with Gerry and the twins.

Gerry believed it was time to go back. But, having come to the Algarve as a family of five, Kate did not want to leave as a family of four.

In her mind it would represent an admission, symbolically perhaps, that she had given up hope, that it was the end.

In the end, she did agree – only for the sake of the twins – that they would leave Portugal in early September, when the lease on the villa ended.

When the time came we hugged at the airport and said our goodbyes. I watched Kate and Gerry walk away.

I then went back to Praia to brief the British Press for a final time, before packing. I caught a flight later that day and I was glad to be going home.

On the flight home I remember thinking that unless Madeleine was found, the McCanns would never be able to fully rebut speculation and rebuild their lives.

I feel desperately for Kate McCann. Her life has been ruined by the constant speculation and the continuing mystery surrounding her daughter's disappearance. She loathes the media spotlight.
She has to live with the knowledge that she and Gerry were not there when their daughter needed them most, something I know she deeply regrets.

Gerry has to live with the knowledge that he failed as a father and a husband in a basic duty, to protect his family. That, surely, is a terrible burden to carry, for any man.

One year after Madeleine's disappearance, I hope for Kate, Gerry and the sake of their two remaining children the media interest now ends.

I hope Madeleine is found, but I fear that will never happen. I hope the McCanns can find some sort of resolution, in private, to this hideous set of events.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=562294&in_page_id=1770

159 comments:

Jojam said...

Good Morning ALL.
Good Post....

Just droped in to post a link to an article you may like to read

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/leaders?articleid=4024359

Hope you are all well

Rosiepops said...

Morning Everyone,

Thank you Jojam.

Sass,

The video has vanished!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Hello JoJam

Thank you for the article link.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Rosie

I took it away until I can get the thing to work properly!

Will do it again later on when I have time to fiddle around a bit.

x

Rosiepops said...

Hi Sass

OK, hope you didn't move it because it was off centre? because I thought you had fixed it, when I looked again yesterday it was working perfectly!

Take no notice of that crazy old bint that said it was off centre, she didn't have her specs on!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Rosie

It's sorted now! Back where it belongs!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Morning All,

Rosie & Sass, you've obviously put a lot of effort in to get that video on the front page - Thank you girls ((())).

The video and article is absolutely heartwrenching, I cant post for now, need to compose myself, I cannot believe what Madeleine, Kate & Gerry have been made to endure.

Back in a little while!

Rosiepops said...

Very good article.

This is what I have feared and what I have been warning about for months and why I get so angry with those evil minded people that want to punish Kate McCann specifically for leaving their children. Even when Madeleine comes home, even after all the work that will inevitably be needed, still Madeleine's life will have change for ever and so will that of her parents and family, isn't this punishment enough for a mistake made while on holiday?

""You realise that if you get your daughter back you might not know her," warned the Portuguese child-welfare expert.

"What she will have experienced will have changed her beyond recognition."

It was the moment, I suspect, that Kate and Gerry began to realise that there would be no truly happy ending, whatever the outcome of their daughter Madeleine's disappearance."


You know perhaps Portugal has to take some of the blame for this too, they are the ones that fill their holiday brochures, page after page after page of them, reassuring them that Portugal is a safe family environment, low crime etc, safe to bring your children to!

Not so! Those holiday brochures conceal an undercurrent like a filthy sewer running through the Algarve, drill down an inch or two and it all comes to the surface.

There is something happening in Portugal, it is at the moment a paedophile haven, with no real or proper set of rules to put into action when something goes wrong.

*Had Kate and Gerry McCann actually been aware of Portugal's lax paedophile laws, had they been aware of the people seen hanging about outside:

*Had they been made aware of the FACT that the person living above the McCann holiday apartment had actually reported an intruder in her home:

*Had the McCann's actually been made aware that previous occupants of their apartment had reported sightings of people hanging about outside:

*Had they been aware that actual employees of Mark Warner had reported sightings of men hanging around outside apartment 5a:

*Had they been made aware of the FACT that these sightings had actually previously been officially reported to the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria:

Had they been aware that all of this and more, had actually happened, perhaps they would not have fallen for the lies and wild claims of their holiday brochures and the Portuguese tourist board and had not been lulled into this false sense of security and left their children while they ate just 89 steps away and sat where they could see their holiday apartment, perhaps then they would not have thought this was a safe thing to do.

How can you expect strangers, holiday makers to know what is happening in this country if they are not told or made aware?

How could they be expected to know all of this when all they had ever been told was that the Algarve and Praia da Luz in particular, was a safe environment with low crime and where was paedophilia mentioned in the holiday blurb?

Perhaps if Kate and Gerry McCann were made aware of the truth about Portugal and PDL.

Perhaps if they were made aware of the *FACT* that Portugal had no sex offenders register, NO DNA based sex offenders register.

perhaps if the McCann's were made aware of the FACT that two little girls had disappeared from the area of Praia da Luz, one disappeared without trace and never found and one found murdered.

Perhaps if Kate and Gerry were made aware of the strange way in which Portuguese police pick who they want to be a suspect (usually the parent/s) and then proceed to make the crime fit them.

In short perhaps if the McCann's (and other parents) had been made aware of all of this (and much more), then perhaps they like the locals, could have made a more informed decision as if it was safe to leave their children for a couple of hours, while they ate 89 steps away, with their apartment in view and carried out regular checks on their children, perhaps they would have come to a different conclusion and we would not be having this debate today and Madeleine would not be famous and would still be safely wrapped inside her family's loving home.

Portugal has a role in this as well and perhaps it is Portugal that should be charged with child endangerment, for deliberately withholding facts that could seriously damage your family!

But Perhaps Portugal is not as child or as family orientated as it appears.

Perhaps they think more of their tourist industry?

Perhaps Portugal is trying vehemently to keep concealed, things they would rather people did not know about.

"Street children; child Prostitution; No sex offenders register; No DNA based sex offenders register; Unexplained child disappearances; Portuguese people who appear to be terrified of their police and judicial system; etc etc etc

Hold your heads down in shame Portugal for what you have done to this couple and for how badly you have let innocent children down.

Where is Madeleine? What has happened to her in Portugal? Who is holding her?

What the hell is really going on in Portugal?

Have those tunnels beneath the church, leading to the beach and to the local police station been checked?

If not, why not? Why haven't a team of forensic scientists been down them? Why didn't you let the British sniffer dogs down them?

Never mind these ridiculous questions that the PJ have leaked they want to ask the McCann's.

never mind the inanely stupid waste of time with the PJ coming to the UK to question the T 7 11 months AFTER the event.

Never Mind all of that!

Time that Portugal started answering some questions of her own, I have plenty I would ask and I know others have even more!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

The video is great, isn't Tinkerbell. If I remember rightly, one of Janet's friends wrote the song.

Actually, I have to admit it's dead easy - I just misunderstood what Rosie meant!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi Rosie,

I've never been to Portugal and certainly have no desire to now.

I think an anon on ST's summed up the feigned shock and horror perfectly.

The people of Portugal will know privately, their Judicial systems have let this child and her family down badly, it is a shame they are still too surpressed to voice it.

I have said from day one, this is much bigger than just Madeleine, a view I know many share.

Something is going on deep down in Portugal and its time for the lid to be blown off this sorry state of affairs.

Rosiepops said...

Hi Tinks

I agree, it is past time that the lid is taken off, for the sake of every child that is native to Portugal and for the sake of every child that visits Portugal.

I will never stop this campaign until the truth is learned and the lid is off and the horrors of Portugal exposed and *properly* dealt with.

Mandz said...

Hi All,
Good article however heartbreaking and brought tears to my eyes. Poor Maddie and her parents – will they ever get the chance to see their daughter again. It is just an absolute nightmare for ones daughter to be taken and no one appears to know where she is.

Mandz said...

Tinks....snap! and I've not had a chance to look at the video yet! My computer is too slow - downloading stuff..

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi Mandz,

It is truly heartwrenching, I'm bouncing between rage and being extremely upset at the moment.

This poor family have been ripped apart, WHY ?

IMO the PJ have sacrificed this child and persecuted this family WHY ?

When is someone going to take accountability for letting this little child and her family down.

If the PJ had done their job properly in the first place, Madeleine would at least have stood a chance. Why did they deny her, her chance ?

Who do they think they are, and what gives them the right to play with peoples lives like this.

Tinkerbell43 said...

Logging off for a little while, things to do people to see!

See you later this afternoon,

Bye for now x

Mandz said...

JoJam thank you for the link!

Rosiepops said...

Hi Mandz,

I know that article had the same effect on me as it did Tinks! Between rage and despair!

Something HAS to be done about this, the PJ and Portugal can think again if they think they are going to get away with this, I promise them this.

I will NEVER stop until TRUE justice is done for Madeleine AND for her Parents and family!

If they think I am going to shut up and allow other children to be STOLEN from their families, they can think again!

People that talk of hurting Madeleine's parents in their venomous ways and think this is justice? don't make me laugh you evil b******d's, you have no idea what justice is, go and play with your fake solicititors and doctors kits, you hateful morons.

Sorry Mandz, I am so angry at the INJUSTICE that has been done to Madeleine and her parents.

One thing though, keep believing that Madeleine will be brought home, keep the faith, keep that light shining brightly for Madeleine and remember that:

"Faith CAN Move Mountains!"

Portugal and the PJ's days are numbered, the truth will soon out.

Rosiepops said...

Tinks

See you later and I hope you are not going surfing looking for animations today, remember it IS Sunday! pmsl

Mandz said...

Well said Tinks! Like you I'm furious then sad for them....

Bye for now...

Rosiepops said...

Here is another excellent article by Emma Loach at The Times. Emma Loach is the daughter of film maker Ken Loach and Emma made the 2 hour long documentary due to go out on ITV @ 8pm this coming Wednesday 30th April.

Here is a link to the above article:

Emma Loach_The Times

Rosiepops said...

Mandz

See you later, have a good afternoon.

Mandz said...

Well said Rosie! I'm just as angry. Nothing no words can describe this situation or how one feels...

Rosiepops said...

Mandz

You are right, they can't, it is impossible to explain how angry this makes us feel, also this possible cover up and the sheer injustice of all this towards an innocent child and her parents.

If there is a cover up and if the the PJ are culpable, no way are they going to get away with this!

Mandz said...

Rosie Thank You for the link excellent article.

Crucially, the National Center has undertaken research that has given them fresh hope that Madeleine may still be alive. Even in the worst kind of kidnappings, just 40%-50% of children are murdered. The younger the child, the less likely that they will be seriously harmed.
**********************************
This gives us all hope...

Mandz said...

Bye Rosie!

Rosiepops said...

Mandz

No problem, see you later.

We will *NEVER* give up on Madeleine, her parents and family can be sure of that.

calcite51 said...

Heartwrenching video and touching article. Thanks for the great links Jojam and Rosie.

I think it's a great idea to lite a candle on May 3 - 10:00 p.m. or leave an outside light on.

And my hat is off to Drs. McCanns - it would have been so easy for them to do absolutely nothing but feel sorry for themselves - instead, they are trying to improve and implement systems that will make children safer. They are to be applauded.

calcite51 said...

I see Ms. Claws has started a bleagh to support the blasted PJ's. How totally sad is that? I wonder if it's all the PJ's or just Tubby?

Hey, Claws, if you want I can gather all our comments about the incompetent, stupid PJ's and send them to you. (Waves to Claws).

Rosiepops said...

Hi calcite

I think it is an absolutely brilliant idea to light a light for Madeleine to show her the way home, so touching and so poignant.

I have some candle arches I use at Christmas time, I will get one out and light it in my upstairs window tonight.

Loads of people have these arches and we used them to mark the anniversary of the Dunblane tragedy too, I can recall.

I don't know if you know about this tragedy so I have supplied a link for you to look up if you want to.

Dunblane

Rosiepops said...

Calcite,

Someone sent me the link to Claws, I made a post but she has moderate comments turned on, so I do not hold out much hope of her publishing it.

Not very confident in the ability or the reputation of her PJ is she, when she has to turn 'comment moderator' on.

Can't say that I blame her though, if I were her I would not have confidence in the PJ's reputation.

Rosiepops said...

With the Times link I supplied, when you read, did you notice this paragraph?

"There were many diversions along the way: More apparent sightings of Madeleine; VENOMOUS LETTERS THAT DROPPED ON THE MAT:

I wonder if this is a mention of the open letter that Alsabella wrote to Mrs Healy and then delivered by 2345?

Hang you head in shame Alsabella, hang your evil head in shame.

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi All,

Claws has started a bleugh in support of the PJ's, ROTFLMAO, way to go Claws, says a lot about you supporting police brutality. Why dont you go the full hog and open up one for paedophiles while you are at!

She has to be the lowest of the low.

(Waves VV)

Rosiepops said...

Hi Tinks

My thoughts exactly!

perhaps Clawd should not only open a blog for police brutality and paedohiles, they should open one for 'child abuductors' too? What do you think?

(waves @ Clawd V V) pmsl

calcite51 said...

Rosiepops - yes I noticed the last paragraph about the venemous letters being dropped on the mat. Some human beings are just plain sicko.

Tinkerbell - I think your invite has just been pulled.

Rosiepops said...

Just to show there are no hard feelings, this is especially for:

Vile, Clawd, Arsabliar, Notdoc, Leigh, Prat and all the rest of the ace losers.

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi Rosie,

They could certainly have a Link!

Have you heard, if true, Kate and Gerry are writing a book. It will be the only offical one which will be released after the Arguido status is lifted to tell their side of the story.

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi Calcite,

Phew, thank god for small mercys!

calcite51 said...

And the book that Kate and/or Gerry published will be the only one I will buy.

Rosiepops said...

Tinks

Did you see Christabel's post in our other place?
Excellent!

If Kate and Gerry write a book the money will go straight into the Fund, but I expect the same degenerates that think it OK for the grubby filthy dirty Cristaovo and Amaral to make money out of Madeleine to line their own bank accounts, will try and tear these parents apart!

Oh and apparently it is wonderful for Robert Murat to sue newspapers for millions, their hypocrisy lets of an evil stench, just like them in the House of Horrors and protectors of child abductors.

Could make a film too "Murat's Millions".

Perhaps Murat should get ready to fall on the "Sword of Bent and Twisted Journalism?"

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi Rosie,

No I didnt, I will try and navigate my way over to have a butchers. Back in a mo.

Rosiepops said...

Tinks

Please do not insult pond life, what did they ever do to get associated with the scum from the House of Horrors?

Rosiepops said...

Calcite

Me too! At least I know the money will be going to look for Madeleine and other good causes involving trying to find missing children.

Tinkerbell43 said...

Off Topic, have you heard the story coming out of Austria, a girl has been found after 24 years.

Apparently she has been kept captive by her father since 1984 in a cellar. Having born 7 children to her father, all of which have been kept in the cellar.

Maybe Sass will be able to tell us more.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

OMG Claudia has actually started the police brutality fan club!!! ROFLMAO. Only someone from Vile's sick bleugh could come up with that. I saw that she thanked the PJ for all their work. Who the h*ll does she think she is to thank them??? Wonder when the first ode to Gonc will be embroidered on a sampler. What'll be next? Vile's guide to parrot care? Marga's guide to Mensa? Arsabliar's blog as to why lying is wrong? Notdoc's guide to professional ethics?

Rosiepops said...

Hi Tinks and Sass,

Take a look at our front page and see what you think.

Do you think to leave it now or take it off and put it back next week?

Rosiepops said...

Sass

ROTFLMAO

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi Sass,

This is how devoid from reality they are.

This Officer has possibly let 2 children down and they are thanking him!

If there are any posters left on TWs blog that can still manage to think for themselves, they need to take a long hard look at what is going on over there and get the hell out while they can!!.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Tinks

I can indeed.

In Lower Austria a 73 year old man imprisoned his daughter (42) in a cellar for 24 years. He had 7 children with her - they are between the ages of 5 and 20.

A 19-year-old who is fighting for her life in Amstetten is one of these children. She was locked up with some of her brothers and sisters. The rest of the "family" lived upstairs. The man is being held by police, but refuses to say anything. His daughter and the children are being counselled by psychologists.

The dad's wife said she hadn't noticed anything!!! The social worker said she hadn't noticed anything either.

The daughter had a baby who died 3 days after the birth and the dad burnt the body.

It all came to light when the 19-year-old was taken to the intensive care unit in Amstetten.

The authorities looked for the mother for days but couldn't find her. She had no passport, no driving licence, no police registration (you have to register your details and your address with the police here). Her father said that she had lived him up to 15 years ago, but then she disappeared, but kept dumping children on him with a letter asking him to look after them. Interpol looked for the woman and then people believed she had joined a sect.

The daughter/mother of the children had been abused by her father from the age of 11. 24 years ago the dad tricked her into going into the cellar, sedated her and tied her up. She spent all the years in the cellar, with some of her children - 2 of them had never seen daylight until yesterday. The father and daughter were taken to the provincial hospital where the dad was arrested. She was absolutely distraught and didn't want to give any statements until the police assured her that her children were safe and she would never have to have any more contact with her father.

This is what has been written on teletext. The news is on at the moment, so am just listening to it all.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Tinks

I think that they are now so obsessed with gory theories that they have lost it already.

I fear there will be more going the way of 2345 - and some have already made the half way mark!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Rosie

I think the candle is fine where it is!

Rosiepops said...

Sass and Tinks

Thanks

Tinks have another look at let me know, if it is ok now. x

Tinkerbell43 said...

Bloody hell Sass, Its like something out of a horror story, in fact its worse. A real living nightmare.

Please keep us updated, those poor poor children what on earth have they been subjected to. Truly heartbreaking.

Rosiepops said...

Sass

I cannot believe what you wrote, I honest to God cannot get my head around it, that poor girl and those poor children.

And no one noticed? I can just about figure out why someone that did not live with them did not notice, but the girl's mother?

Pull the other one!

Do you think this is for our section in the other place too?

Rosiepops said...

Tinks

I think I caught something of this on Sky News earlier, but I only heard the end and the mention of sect, I had no idea it was something like this.

Mandz said...

Hi All,
What an excellent front page girls – well done I’m very impressed!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Rosie,

lol, perfect xx

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Mandz

Ta! We aim to please!!!

Mandz said...

Hi Calcite,

I think it's a great idea to lite a candle on May 3 - 10:00 p.m. or leave an outside light on.
*********************************

What an excellent idea! I will do this.

Tinkerbell43 said...

Aw, Thanks Mandz.

The real credit goes to Rosie & Sass.

Have you been over to the other side yet, not the dark one ?

Mandz said...

Not yet Tinks!

Will do soon however I hope it's all easy and straight forward?! It took me forever getting here!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Mandz,

If I can, theres hope for everyone!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Tinks

The cellar is only 1.7m high! You had to have a code to get in.

They are just asking on the news how noone could have noticed anything. In any case, there are loads of neighbours on TV saying that they can't believe that they never noticed anything. The three children who lived upstairs went to school and the teacher said they were quiet, hard-working children.

How the man's wife who was living with three of the children, didn't notice anything is just not believable for me. It is said that the father is very dominant and the family was very isolated from the community. I'd say in that case that she did notice something but was too frightened to do anything about it.

Rosiepops said...

The idea was from a site affiliated to the Find Madeleine site, "Janet from Don't Let Them Hurt Our Children" came on last night and told us about it, we too thought it was a beautiful idea.

So I am getting my candle arch down

See you later off for a bath and dinner back at around 8.30.

Mandz said...

Sass,
That is absolutely heartbreaking. There are some really evil sick bad people in this world.

Tinkerbell43 said...

I'm just popping off too, will be back in about an hour!

Bye for now.

Mandz said...

Bye for now Tinks!

Mandz said...

Tinks,

What can we expect from people who support Maddie's abductor/s and police errors..?

"justice" for who on their site.....? Mmm.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Mandz

Not so much justice - just arrests! It smacks of just arrest someone so the case can be closed!

Christabel said...

Good Evening everyone,

Any news ?

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Hiya Christabel

How you doing? No Madeleine news, but did you hear about the woman in Lower Austria. Look at my post to Tinks at 18:37.

How are you doing? Is everything going sort of OK?

Christabel said...

Hi Sass,

I saw that on sky this morning, terrible isn't it.?
Do you know the area?
Did you see the Gonc?

Not too good at the moment!

joanypony said...

Rosie and Tinks,

Well done,a beautiful gesture.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Hiya Christabel

My computer is ridiculously slow - will reboot when I've finished this.

I don't really know the north of Austria that well. I know the name Amstetten, but not the place. It's not far from the case of the woman who kept her 3 daughters imprisoned and is west (probably about 1 hour and 3/4 away) from where Natascha Kampusch was held for 8 years in the cellar.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Christabel

Your avatar is the candle I was going to use!

Christabel said...

Oh sorry Sass,
I've got a lovely animated one if it will send and you want to use it.

Mandz said...

Hi All,

Right I'm now a member however lost a good few times!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Hiya Christabel

Thanks anyway, but have had real problems trying to get animated avatars to . . . animate!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Nice one Mandz

You'll soon get used to it!

Mandz said...

Sass,
Not so much justice - just arrests! It smacks of just arrest someone so the case can be closed!

*********************************
I know it is sick!

Christabel said...

sass
you can take a look at it,
it working ok on my membership lol.

Mandz said...

Right off for a bit! Maybe see ya all on the road....!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Mandz

Leave my patch alone, won't ya! See ya. Swing that handbag with pride!

Anonymous said...

Hi folks,

I am going to do a Janegt and throw this b y computer through the window!!! Can't send e-mails, everything is on a go slow and if I lose this powst I will scweam n scweam n scweam!!

Can't stop for long, visitors and hubby is giving me the evil!!

Sass a great article but like others I find it extremely upsetting reading. What agonies the Mccann's and their family have gone through and continue to have. They must be thinking where is the light at the end of the tunnel, yet they still have hope.

I see that Seawitch's blog has been removed.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Christabel

Has someone gone and given you élite membership? What are you Portuguese? Can't see your flame moving on here.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Hiya Our Ell

Seawitch's has been removed? That was a bit quick, wasn't it?

Christabel said...

Sass,
as usual your in the wrong place at the right time lol.

Hi Helen, tell hubby to wait!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

HelenM

So you'll scweam n scweam n scweam until you're sick. And you can! I read the books too!

Christabel said...

Sass,
defo not Portuguese I found the light.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

OK Christabel Think I get what you mean. "There" I know about, but here is a performance trying to get things to move!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Christabel, so you have been saved. Good-oh!

Anonymous said...

Hi Christabel, hope all is well with you and yours. Hubby is busy telling visitors that I spend all me time on the site!!

I would like to thank moderators for the new page, the candle is perfect Sass and Tinks thanks for the poem.

Sass re the video, think it may be my computer but the video sops after 2 minutes. Anyone else have this problem?

Christabel said...

Just tried it Sass, won't work on here.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gawd!!! 'all me time' should be all my time.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Helen

Glad you like it all. We all did bits and bobs on it. I had trouble with the video playing to start with, but it worked fine after I updated adobe flashplayer.

Rosie put on the candle
I stuck up the video
Tinks wrote the poem

What a paradise of equal distribution of work we really are!

Rosiepops said...

Hi everyone

tried to eat my dinner, but appetite up the swanny again and now I am getting nagged and my curry exploded too!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Christabel

No, but it is possible to have animations. The only problem is that I can't find the picture specifications anywhere!

Helen

Tinks laughs at me when I start speaking like that!

Rosiepops said...

Hi Our Ell

I would be really careful where you bend over with all of these naked flames around!

Rosiepops said...

Hi Joany

Thanks, but sass as well. :-)

Rosiepops said...

How is everyone finding the other place are you having a play around with it, to get the feel of how it all works?

Anonymous said...

Rosie good luck mane. Thinking of you.

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hey All,

I'm back!

Rosiepops said...

Helen

Thanks, I am so nervous, goodness knows how she is feeling x

Tinkerbell43 said...

Sass,

Dont mention animation, I come over all unnecessary!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Tinks

Don't even want to know the story behind your google searches for that candle!!!

Anonymous said...

Thought I'd better change my costume with all this heat around.

Rosiepops said...

Tinks

We were just launching a search party, are you breathless?

Rosiepops said...

Helen

Posterius alighticus

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Tinks

Love your expressions!

Rosiepops said...

Hi Christabel

how is everything?

Hi Mandz

are you still around?

Anonymous said...

Sass, re Seawitch's blog, they requested to have it removed.

Rosiepops said...

a Tinks looking for an animated candle the mind boggles!

Christabel said...

Rosie,

email ?

Tinkerbell43 said...

Sass,

Expressions ?

Anonymous said...

Sassy,

Chelsea buns appreciated?

Rosiepops said...

Hi Supertroll

Your site is really picking up, some very interesting comments, the message seems to be getting through, well done keep it up!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

By the way, it is Greek Orthodox Easter today, so to anyone celebrating it (like some of my family members)

Christos anesti!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Rosie,

I was good this time, I ended up on a site selling Elton John classics.

Rosiepops said...

Good gracious, I am seeing things now, I could have sworn I saw supertroll pop up!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Helen What did they request that for? Apart from that you only have to press the "delete blog" button!

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

Tinks

The expressions you use. Reminds me of when I used to live near you!

"I come over all unnecessary"
or
"Gor, sod that. They're well unhinged!" (That one had me laughing for ages)

Tinkerbell43 said...

Sass,

Gotcha :0)

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

HelenM

I had to throw them out! I baked them (because I had visions of the kitchen being overtaken by dough after your reaction) last night - or rather very early this morning - set my alarm on my mobile and fell asleep . . . and slept through the alarm. Woke up when they had been in the oven for 1.5 hours! That would have been a nice welcome back wouldn't it! Scorched bullets!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Sass,

Couldn't you have passed them off as "Rock" cakes!

Anonymous said...

Sass charcoal IS good for you!!

Anonymous said...

Have to go now folks, may catch you later if visitors go to bed early. Goodnight.

Tinkerbell43 said...

See ya Helen,

Take care x

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

They'd have been good for wind, Tinks and Helen. They were total charcoal!

Rosiepops said...

Helen

see you later, what is this you eating charcoal? Has Gonc been at the food again?

Tinkerbell43 said...

Does anyone know whether the British police have now finished reinterviewing all witnesses ? I understood it would take a couple of weeks, that being the case, we should hear something soon.

Rosiepops said...

Tinks

I haven't heard anything, but then we wouldn't, they would not leak bizarre stories, if there was anything they wanted us to know they would hold a news conference and tell us straight!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Well unless its the lifting of the Arguido status, I just hope the PJ show some compassion for once and let the McCanns deal privately with the upcoming anniversary.

Christabel said...

This book Gonc is going to write.
He says he is going to tell the truth about the night of May 3rd and what really happened.

Well if he knows what happened that night, he wants arresting.
He was only there for an hour if that apparently, so whats he hiding?

He's still under the secrecy laws, even after he retires.
Still he can always thump somebody and get away with it.

The Candy Floss blog really sucks said...

I'm off. Going to make an attempt at turning up on Monday morning without looking like a goth/drug addict!

Tinkerbell43 said...

Hi Christabel,

I'm beginning to wonder, whether he has something over the more Elite members of the PJ, because he is blatantly flouting the Judicial Secrecy Laws, and with his own trial coming up you would think he would have more than enough on his mind, but he doesnt appear to have, I wonder why!

Tinkerbell43 said...

See ya Sass,

Sleep well x

Rosiepops said...

sass see ya lightweight, Gis a bun ! On second thoughs no, i dont want to break my teeth.
take care sleep well xxx

Rosiepops said...

Christabel

So isn't it in his remit to tell the truth anyway?He is a policeman, what is stipping him?

He needs locking up!

Probably as bent as a nine bob note!

Christabel said...

Tinks and Rosie,

all you need to be a PJ is a degree!
In telling lies.
Check your inboxes>

Rosiepops said...

There is gradually more and more coming out about the McCann's side of things and gradually the myths are being expelled.

And as for Ginc telling the truth, he wouldn't know the truth if it bit him on his fat ankle!

Christabel said...

Hey Rosie,
you put him and the efit pic together ?

Rosiepops said...

Christabel

Nothing !

Rosiepops said...

Christabel

nothing in my inbox from you!

Christabel said...

Rosie there is now lol.

Rosiepops said...

Christabel and tinks

just reading your link Christabel, back in five

Rosiepops said...

OMG just read the first paragraph!

I bet we have been right all along!

Just going to read the rest if it.

but what are the PJ doing? I bet they know who it is.

Christabel said...

Rosie,
I'm off now got a long busy day tomorrow, as you probably have.

Nite and Bless to everyone x

Tinkerbell43 said...

Thanks Chris,

Very interesting! It would appear those people that are an authority on this type of crime, all point to an abduction.

I'm not sure I go along the opportunist route, because of the shutters having been opened. But I strongly believe there is someone local that knows a lot more.

Rosiepops said...

That has really upset me. I am shaking with rage!

If I were the McCann's I would sue the PJ.

But I do not know how he would know what she did, prior to that?

But what about JT?

Tinkerbell43 said...

Night Chris,

You take care, God bless xx

I wont be far behind you either, bloody Mondays come around a bit too quick for my liking.

Rosiepops said...

I am with you Tinks, I believe something happened along those lines, but I think she was taken from her room.

because Gerry saw her and they was outside talking to Jes Wilkins, when JT saw the person walk past, so if she had come down those steps she would have been seen by Gerry?

I think it was someone local and I have always thought this and I think there was more than one local person involved too.

I still have this feeeling that she is alive and I still think she is somewhere in Portugal.

Rosiepops said...

Good night Christabel,

hope you get a good night sleep, please take care, thinking of you xxx

Tinkerbell43 said...

Rosie,

I read an article a while back, it was from The Times, it was written by David Canter and it was called the psychological trail.

He said it is usually the tendancy for younger children of Madeleines age to be abducted in a more planned way, to be trafficked.

I think this is what Kate and Gerry believe aswell, and why they still have hope that she is out there somewhere.

Rosiepops said...

Tinks

If it is someone local, I believe he had help and I believe it was organised and I believe she may have been taken to some place like a children's home. very quick, very easy and no one would be looking for her in a children's home. If this is the case then there is an awful lot more to come out and it explains why the PJ have behaved in the way that they have.

Did you know that there are tunnels that lead from the church to the beach and to the local police station apparently?

I have not heard of anyone searching these tunnels why? Apparently the PJ say they are off linits to everyone why?

have they had them properly forensically searched?

if not then why not?

Something very wrong here, if you were a PJ looking for an abducted child, would this not be the first place you would starter looking? Or be pretty high up on the list?

Something extremely wrong here!

(Don't forget that dream I had right at the beginning of this,the one I told you about!)

dianeh said...

Rosie/Tinks

Good morning.

That article by Justine broke my heart. And when I read it, I read sincerity. She believes the McCanns to be innocent and she is in a position to judge. She practically lived with them for four months. But according to the stupid anti's, she is lying as well. Everyone, except the PJ lies, lies and tells more lies. Just how likely is that? That normal people like Justine, that have no previous connection to the McCanns would lie for them, to protect someone who may have harmed their children. It is just so stupid, that I still cannot believe that anyone even thinks that way.

NO, the McCanns are telling the truth and the people who have come into contact with them,since then, such as Justine, Clarence, missing childrens organisations etc, all believe them. The only ones who dont, are the PJ and the intelligent deficient anti's. But even this article suggests that initially, and for many months, many of the PJ also believed the McCanns. I find that completely interesting.

dianeh said...

Rosie/Tinks

Just want to comment about how younder children are more likely to survive an abduction. I agree but it is important to remember that predatory paedophiles do take younger children at times and they do not survive. The absence of a body give one hope, but if the paedophile was particularly clever, or a local, then he may have gone to great efforts to ensure a body is never found. BUT, if a local, I would expect his behaviour to continue. What I would like to know, is have their been other cases around Europe that may be related. Of course, we would never know, but the paedophile may only kill when away on holidays, when feeling anonymous.

BUT, I still feel Madeleine was targeted and that it most likely isnt a predatory paedophile. I also think she was trafficked, as a specific type. Why else, take a child while she is on holidays, that is obviously not from that country. It would be easier to abduct a child in Britain (that is unless everything is already in place to traffic her). It was always going to become a big story. A predator would take the chance, if they were going to kill immediately, then leave (where's the body). Child traffickers would also take the risk, if they were very organised and there were big bucks waiting for them. And they couldnt be traced back to PDL. So abductor probably grabbed her and passed her on straight away, within minutes/hours, and then left, never to be seen again. Madeleine was then probably taken away from PDL to ??????. I always also felt that the abductor may have worked at PDL (and many other resorts) to be on the lookout for oppotunities. These workers are seasonal and migratory, so they move from place to place without raising suspicion.

Just a few thoughts. Probably not very coherent on this Monday morning.

dianeh said...

Rosie/Tinks

Just want to comment about how younder children are more likely to survive an abduction. I agree but it is important to remember that predatory paedophiles do take younger children at times and they do not survive. The absence of a body give one hope, but if the paedophile was particularly clever, or a local, then he may have gone to great efforts to ensure a body is never found. BUT, if a local, I would expect his behaviour to continue. What I would like to know, is have their been other cases around Europe that may be related. Of course, we would never know, but the paedophile may only kill when away on holidays, when feeling anonymous.

BUT, I still feel Madeleine was targeted and that it most likely isnt a predatory paedophile. I also think she was trafficked, as a specific type. Why else, take a child while she is on holidays, that is obviously not from that country. It would be easier to abduct a child in Britain (that is unless everything is already in place to traffic her). It was always going to become a big story. A predator would take the chance, if they were going to kill immediately, then leave (where's the body). Child traffickers would also take the risk, if they were very organised and there were big bucks waiting for them. And they couldnt be traced back to PDL. So abductor probably grabbed her and passed her on straight away, within minutes/hours, and then left, never to be seen again. Madeleine was then probably taken away from PDL to ??????. I always also felt that the abductor may have worked at PDL (and many other resorts) to be on the lookout for oppotunities. These workers are seasonal and migratory, so they move from place to place without raising suspicion.

Just a few thoughts. Probably not very coherent on this Monday morning.

Rosiepops said...

Hi Diane

I feel that it was an organised crime, that they were watched all week. I think there was more than one person involved and at least two may have worked or still do work at the Ocean complex.

I have no idea why I feel this, only that I do and I am not psychic and neither do I profess to be, but I feel she is still alive and still in Portugal and probably not than many miles from PDL.

I assume that there are old buildings in PDL and these have basements/cellars, have they been checked? Have the vaults in the church been checked?
The underground tunnels leading from the church to the beach and to ?? the local police station, have all these been checked?

Apparently the PJ have said these tunnels are off limits, why?

I am going to keep asking this question until someone checks this out.

Madeleine could be being kept prisoner in such a place by someone or some people that panicked at all the publicity.

It is common knowledge that a proper organised 15k ring search has never been carried out of this area and I would like to know why?

Mark Wlliams-Thomas is right about one thing, as soon as this arguido status is lifted the McCann's can return to PDL with their investigators or maybe even the British police and commence the investigation in to Madeleine's abduction ans see if they can find their daughter.

Maybe this is why the PJ do not want this lifted?They are too scared of what is going to be discovered, maybe this is why this ridiculous arguido status was placed on them in the first place?

Rosiepops said...

Good night Diane in your case Good morning, hope you have a good day.

Big day for us today.

take care xxx

xxx God Bless Madeleine xxx

dianeh said...

There is a candle burning permanently in my heart for dear little Madeleine.

Minute For Madeleine McCann

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