Madeleine McCann Connection

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http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/TREVOR_FRANCIS.htm


OFFICIAL INQUIRY FILES and DOCUMENTS
TREVOR FRANCES MADELEINE SIGHTING

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This information belongs to the Ministério Público in Portimão, Portugal.
It was released to the public on 4 August 2008 in accordance with Portuguese Law


4376 to 4379 Email from Stuart Prior to PJ re: possible sighting in Sussex
TRANSLATED BY INES

16- Processo 16 pages 4376 to 4379
16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4376

16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4377

16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4378

16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4379

Table of Contents : Processo Vol 16..(PDF pages-245-248 )...pages 4376 to 4379-"Email from Stuart Prior to PJ re: possible sighting in Sussex"

Vol 16 Page 4376 (Page 1 of 4 )

Our Ref - Serial 598 09:06:08 Madeleine

Ricardo Manuel Goncalves Paiva

From : Prior Stuart
Date : 9th June 2008 19.34
To : Ricardo Manuel Goncalves Paiva
Cc : Baraclough Nigel
Subject : FW : High priority Action 3895 re possible sighting of Madeleine McCann.
Sensitivity : Confidential.

Ricardo
as just discussed on the phone.
Nigel
Ricardo called in re the subscriber for the girl's call, any news yet ?
Ta Stu

Stu Prior
Detective Superintendent
Crime Support Department
Leicestershire Constabulary


From : Prior Stuart
Sent : 9th June 2008 19.07
To : Burrows Gary ; Graham Michael
Cc : Baraclough Nigel
Subject : FW : High priority Action 3895 re possible sighting of Madeleine McCann.
Sensitivity : Confidential.

Thanks for this Gary.
I still think we have to deal with it as a high priority until we know the Portuguese position.
Nigel, have one of our staff had a chance to speak with the informant to get a feel for him and any info he may have ?
Thanks
I also think we then need to get it to Portugal to get them to initiate enquiries as they wish.
If you let me know when its been sent I will contact Ricardo and advise him.
Thanks
Stu

Stu Prior
Detective Superintendent
Crime Support Department
Leicestershire Constabulary



Page 4377 (Page 2 of 4 )

From : Burrows Gary
Sent : 9th June 2008 16.45
To : Prior Stuart
Cc : Baraclough Nigel
Subject : RESTRICTED : - High priority Action 3895 re possible sighting of Madeleine McCann.
Importance : High
Sensitivity : Confidential

Sir,

I have received this report back from an Officer in the Sussex Police Force as a result of a high priority action I asked to be completed this morning. The precis of the statement below may be of interest to you in relation to the girl's description.

The original statement is in the post to myself and will be submitted with the action.

I am aware that we have had many "possible" sightings but feel this may need to be sent to Portugal for their information as soon as possible.

If it is felt that this is of no more a priority than any of the others then please disregard this e-mail.

Gary Burrows
DC 663

___________________________________
From : Abigail.Lunn@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Sent : 9th June 2008 16.07
To : Burrows Gary
Subject : Our Ref - Serial 598 09:06:08 Madeleine
Sensitivity : Confidential

------------------------Original Message------------------------

From : Lunn Abigail DL505
Sent : Monday 9th June 2008 16.05
To : 'Gary.'
Subject : Our Ref - Serial 598 09:06:08 Madeleine
Sensitivity : Confidential

DC Burrows,

I attended Baytree Nusring Home this afternoon and took a detailed 4 page statement from Trevor Francis, the owner.
Mr Francis is retired, however he is the Captain of a Charted Yacht that sails to various locations in the Carribbean. One of these is the Island of Margharita, where Mr Francis spends most of his time.

He is now back in England til next Monday.
Mr Francis says that he was in a restaurant called "LUGAR DE EQUENTER", which is (on, (sic)) one of the main roads in "PORLAMAR" on Margharita, on Friday 16th May 2008 with a casual female aquaintance at about 1300hrs.
He was having difficulty with his order, so when 3 females with a little girl walked in through the front door shortly after 1300hrs, he didn't take any notice at first. A few minutes later he glanced over and the little girl immediately stood out.

His first reason was that it was a fair haired white child, which is unusual on the Island. He said that, although he hasn't been in the UK for all of the Press coverage, he has seen pictures of Madeleine on TV and is sure that it was her.

The things that stood out for him were :
- She was approx 4yrs, white, fair collar-length hair, "pretty little girl".



Page 4378 (Page 3 of 4 )

- He says that she is the 'absolute image' of Madeleine.
- She looked 'sullen' and unhappy, and was refusing the food that one of the females was trying to feed her.
- When he walked past her on his way out, he was approx 4-5 feet from her, and he noticed a distinctive blemish in her right eye, like a fleck.

- He has said that he was so amazed by the little girl that he didn't pay any attention to the 3 women. All he could say was that they were all of South American/Spanish appearance, approx late 30's to early 40's. One female had bleached platinum blonde hair, of slim build, one was of a fairly heavy build with long dark straight hair and the other was of a heavy build with short dark bobbed hair. He says that the only distinctive thing about them was that they weren't very pretty !

- He also thinks that the women could possibly be local as they seemed to know the waiter, and didn't hesitate when finding a table - they seemed familiar with the place.

Mr Francis says he is 85% sure that it was in fact the missing Madeleine McCann. I have sent the statement and the statement taking notes via recorded delivery, marked urgent to the address you gave. This was done immediately after I finished taking the statement, at about 1600hrs before I booked off duty.

I hope that this information is sufficient until the statement arrives. I am on duty 0700-1600 hrs tomorrow, however if it is urgent then please call and speak to a Sergeant at Worthing.

Kind Regards

PC LUNN DL505.

(Noted here are several lines of Official Guidance relating to general issues regarding Confidentiality of documents relating to this "sighting")



Page 4379 (Page 4 of 4)

Ricardo Manuel Goncalves Paiva
_________________________________________

From : Hughes John (DC) ( John.Hughes443@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk) (Task@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk )
Date : 10th June 2008 12.22
To : Ricardo Manuel Goncalves Paiva
Subject : FW : D6507 1.pdf
Annexes : D6507 1.pdf

Further information on the sighting in Margarita.
DC John Hughes

___________________________________
From : Long Lindsay
Sent : 10th June 2008 12.20
To : Task
Subject : D6507 1.pdf


Thank you for your cooperation.
Leicestershire Constabulary.

4380 to 4383 Witness statement of Trevor Francis (English)
16-Processo 16 - Pages 4380 to 4383
16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4380

16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4381

16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4382

16_VOLUME_XVIa_Page_4383

Table of Contents : Processo Vol 16..(PDF pages 249-252)...Pages 4380 to 4383-"Witness statement of Trevor Francis (English)"
Vol 16 Page 4380 (Page 1 of 4) (Handwritten statement)

09/06/2008 15.17 01243843566 (COPY - A3895) PAGE 01/04

SUSSEX POLICE
RESTRICTED (when complete)

Statement of Mr Trevor FRANCIS

Age if under 18...018....(if over 18 insert 'over 18') Occupation : Retired.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This statement (consisting of....4....page(s) each signed by me) is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that, if it is tendered in evidence, I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.
(signed) : T Francis

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tick if witness evidence is visually recorded....(No tick indicated)

My name is Trevor FRANCIS and I am the owner of Baytree Nursing Home in Worthing. I am rarely in England as I am the captain of a charter yacht. I spend a lot of my time sailing, however I am based in a place called PORLAMAR, which is on the island of MARGARITA. For the past 18 months I have been there, living off my boat in the 'MARINA HILTON' which is what the marina is known as because it is in close vicinity of the 'HILTON' Hotel. I have been back in the UK for about 4 weeks now. This visit is so that I can check on my business etc. Just over three weeks ago, on a Friday : I am sure it was the 16th May, I was in a restaurant on the AVENUE DE MAYO - the main road in the town of PORLAMAR. I was in there with a casual female aquaintance, having some lunch. This was about 1300hours. The restaurant is called 'LUGAR DE ENQUENTER' which means 'THE MEETING PLACE' in English. It's a typical cafe/restaurant, with rows of different tables in an open plan area. The tables are in no particular arrangement, and there are large glass windows that let in plenty of sunlight ; the restaurant faces South and so gets lots of light in. As it is in an open plan restaurant there was nothing to obstruct my view of



Page 4381 (Page 2 of 4)

the other people in the restaurant. There were a few people in the restaurant. Just after about 1300hrs, the door opened and three females with a little girl came in. They sat down at a table opposite me, about 20 feet away from me. There were two tables between us, with one person at each, but they did not obstruct my view of their table. At first I did not take any notice because I was having trouble with my food - I had to send it back and the drinks were taking too long. Once I had sorted out my order, I glanced back at the table with the women and the small girl. I noticed that the little girl was white, with fair hair. There are sometimes white children in Venezuala, but not as fair as this child. She really stood out. I was transfixed. She was the absolute image of the missing Madeleine MC'CANN, with chin length straight fair hair, about 4 years old, a pretty little girl. What I noticed most prominently were her eyes - they were big and staring. Lots of things went through my mind - I wanted to jump up and grab her or shout out her name and see what reaction I would get from the girl. However I was afraid to do anything and cause a scene, as a huge raucous would have erupted, and it could have made things worse. Venezualan Police are not very helpful to foreigners and are very corrupt. I decided to get a good look to make sure it was her so I could come back to ENGLAND and reprt it. I shuffled in my seat so I could see 'Madeleine' clearly. The little girl sat facing me, with a female either side of her and one sitting on the opposite side, but not directly in front of the girl, so I could see her well.

Page 4382 (Page 3 of 4)

I didn't pay much attention to the three women because I was concentrating on the little girl. However from what I..((Note : "would say" initially written but struck through here))..saw, I would say that they were all of Spanish/South American origin. Female 'one' I can describe as being heavily built, dark short bobbed hair. Female 'two' had bleached platinum blonde hair, with a slim build. The third female, 'female three' had long black hair, and she was heavily built. I can't remember how tall they were or what clothes they were wearing, but they were aged between their late 30's to early 40's. One of them was wearing a red top but I can't remember which one. They weren't very pretty. They seemed to be local women, as they didn't hesitate at finding a table when they came in and they seemed to know the waiters. One of the women sat next to the little girl was trying to feed her what looked like some sort of pasta dish. Although the girl looked to me to be healthy and well cared for, she was very sullen looking and refused to eat anything. Something just didn't fit - she looked unhappy and out of place. The women were talking amongst themselves and at the little girl. I couldn't understand what they were saying because they were speaking in Spanish. The little girl wasn't saying anything. I saw her from about 20 feet away for about 20-30 minutes. It was a sunny day and the restaurant was well lit. There were no obstructions in my view : I kept shifting in my seat, trying to get a good look without anyone noticing. As I left the restaurant I was about 4-5 feet away from the little girl. Her eyes met mine as I walked past and that's when

Page 4383 (Page 4 of 4)

I saw the little blemish in her right eye - it was like a little fleck - I haven't been in England for all of the press coverage and updates about Madeleine MCCANN, but I have seen photos of her on the news. From what I saw of the little girl that day I would say that I am about 85% certain that it was in fact Madeleine McCANN, She watched as I left the restaurant. I went back to my boat and I didn't see her or the females again. I was wearing my prescription glasses throughout the whole time in the restaurant. Thinking about it, it makes sense to me that the girl could be Madeleine. I have been a seaman for many years and the sailing route from Portugal ; which is a common meeting place for boats, and on to the Canaries, Barbados, Trinidad and finally the Island of Margharita is a very well trodden one. Many people prefer to carry on to Margharita rather than stay in Barbados or Trinidad as it is much cheaper. It would also make sense for her to be there as it is easy for someone to hide her away where it is less touristy. At the time I wasn't sure what to do, so I decided to come back to England and tell police as I thought it would be a better idea to report a possible sighting of a little girl who looked just like the missing Madeleine McCANN. I want to be able to help the police in finding her and would be willing to support any police action.

(signed) : T Francis.

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The McCanns now have detectives working around the world at a reported cost of £166,000 a month.

Among the possible sightings they are following up, also apparently ignored by the Portuguese, is one by a British yachtsman on the Caribbean island of Margarita last May.

Trevor Francis, 64, of Worthing, West Sussex, said: 'I saw the little blemish in her right eye. She was the absolute image of Madeleine.'


He said the girl was in a restaurant with three women who looked Spanish. She seemed 'sullen' and refused to eat.


http://www.standard.co.uk/news/portuguese-police-ignored-kidnapper-in-the-shadows-outside-madeleines-bedroom-6818652.html

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http://goncaloamaraltruthofthelie.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-06-16T23%3A19%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1

Amaral's Summary of the Smith sighting

Chapter 8

A MAN WITH A CHILD IN HIS ARMS

May 3rd, after 9.27pm, Dolphin restaurant,
Vila da Luz

The Smiths, from Ireland, are spending their holiday in Praia da Luz. After having dinner at the restaurant, they go to Kelly's bar, 50 metres away. They leave there at around 9.55pm to go back to their apartment in Estrela da Luz, west of the Ocean Club, 300 metres further on. They don't stay late because the next morning one of them has to go back to Ireland. It's a big family, of four adults and five children: the father, aged 58, retired, and his wife; their 12 year-old daughter; their two grand-children aged 10 and 4 (their mother stayed in Ireland); their son accompanied by his wife - who is pregnant - and their two children aged 13 and 6.

They go in a northerly direction, the group spreading out; the children are never far away from the adults. There's nobody about. They climb a few steps to reach 25 de Abril street, cross it and turn left into 1 de Maio street, that runs along the west side of the Ocean Club. They haven't gone 30 metres when they come across a man walking up the middle of the road. He is carrying a child in his arms, head resting on his left shoulder. The Smiths don't see the face of the little girl, whose arms hang by her sides. She is dressed in pale-coloured, maybe pink, pyjamas; her feet are bare, she is white and she has blonde hair that covers her neck. The individual's appearance gives the impression that he is not a tourist. He is wearing cream-coloured or beige trousers, classic in style, perhaps linen or cotton. He is a white man, aged around 30 to 35, with no other distinguishing features: he is between 1.70m and 1.80m tall, is visibly in good physical condition; his brown hair is cut short, his face is tanned.

At this time, images of Robert Murat - considered to be the main suspect - begin to be circulated all over the world. After they return to Ireland, the Smiths continue to follow the case. They learn that, according to Jane Tanner's statements, Murat is definitely the man encountered on the night of the abduction. Mr Smith then gets in touch with the Irish police to relate what he saw on the night of May 3rd. He insists, categorically, that the man they came across with the little girl in his arms was not Robert Murat. He is sure of it because he knows him. With hindsight, he is utterly convinced that the little girl was definitely Madeleine. We secretly organise for the Smiths to come to Portugal. On May 26th, in the offices of the Department of Criminal Investigation in Portimão, we interview the father and his son. What they say seems credible. However, because of the dim street lighting, they say they would have a hard time formally recognising the man who was carrying the child. On the other hand, they describe very clearly how the man was holding the little girl and how he was walking. That scene is indelibly printed in their memory. After their interview, they went back to the scene, accompanied by investigators. They indicate the precise place where they came across the man.

Their coming to Portugal as well as their statements are kept secret. Within a few days, they go back to Ireland, but contact is maintained: they undertake to let us have any further details they remember. We finally have credible witness statements about that stranger who, on the night of May 3rd, was walking in the streets of Vila da Luz with a child in his arms.

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Text: "Rua da Escola Primária, the location where the Smith family (black arrow) crosses paths with a man who was walking down the street (red arrow) carrying a child, on the 3rd of May 2007, at around 10 p.m." Photograph courtesy of Gonçalo Amaral, 'The Truth of the Lie'.

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/so ... r-10104793

'Someone is protecting Madeleine McCann's kidnappers' claims cop who spent years hunting her

Someone is protecting Madeleine McCann ’s kidnappers, says a detective who hunted for her for three years. As Kate McCann faced her 10th Mother’s Day without Maddie, retired Det Insp Dave Edgar broke his silence for the first time to open his files.

Revealing findings, that a child-sex gang most likely took the three-year-old, he said: “Someone knows what happened and it’s time they came forward.”


22:11, 26 MAR 2017

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McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell holds up a photo-fit of a woman

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Clarence Mitchell, left, and David Edgar with their e-fit

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http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/ma ... 51031.html

Portuguese police visit waste ground at centre of Madeleine McCann search


Portuguese police have visited the waste ground in Praia da Luz where the search for Madeleine McCann is due to start early next week.


Several PJ officers examined the area on foot and by car yesterday/on Wednesday after travelling to the Algarve holiday resort from their base in Faro an hour's drive away.

Faro police chief Luis Mota Carmo - who has held several meetings with the British detective leading the hunt for Madeleine McCann - led the site survey.

Last night it was reported the area the British police have been given permission to dig up is waste ground near to the spot where a man carrying a girl in pink pyjamas was seen the night Madeleine disappeared more than seven years ago.

It had been thought British police would start their search at fenced-off land next to the Ocean Club holiday complex where Madeleine was staying with her family.

But the Portuguese detectives were spotted going over wasteland next to 25th of April Street, a short walk west from the centre of Praia da Luz.

The large area of scrubland overlooking the Med is the only site British police have so far been given permission to search, Portuguese media reported.

Respected Portuguese daily Jornal de Noticias said a search team with police from the two countries would re-examine the site at the start of next week before cordoning off the areas they intend focusing on.