Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

1 case you could also find cases of violent abduction etc but it alters nothing. If a parent was home at least there was a fair chance of opportunity to intervene

---------- Post added at 11:10 ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 ----------

so your saying if no one blames the parent the child will magically return? I dont blame them for the abduction but I blame them for leaving the children alone. What would have been your reaction yesterday if it was just a news report on parents leaving young children locked in a building ?

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I'd say bad parents for doing so. But this is by far, an irrelevant question, the kids in your news story haven't been abducted they have only been locked in a building apart from being a H+S issue and fire risk, hardly worthy of a news grabbing headline. In real life, a child has been abducted, so its obviously more headline news - I couldn't give a crap about whose to blame, its totally irrelevant because the parents will now know, what they didn't know at the time. All I am bothered about is the little girl being found safe and well, no parent deserves to go through this regardless if it was because of their actions in the first place that caused it to manifest into what it has now.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Difficult one this. Truly awful for all involved but let's hope the girl is found alive and well very soon.

We do need to find out exactly what happened and the stories I've heard about the parents have varied from them being a few yeards away and checking every half and hour to being 200 yards away and checking hourly.
I can only speak for us and we would NEVER leave our children (10 &12) alone in that manner even now let alone at that age. I was under the impression that the appeal of this hotel complex to parents was that babysitting facilities were always available. If so, I'm wondering why the parents didn't use them on this occasion and how often they'd done likewise.

Having nearly lost our youngest a couple of times due to serious medical issues we are perhaps more protective and paranoid than most about leaving them unattended especially in situations such as this.

A very salutary tale I feel but let's all pray that it ends well.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Thank you Mick. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, I'm sure the parents must be beating themselves up for allowing the opportunity for someone to steal their precious little daughter. If we could only turn back the clock, I for one, would like the chance to change a few poor decisions I've made in my life. Zing you are quite right, the parents are to blame for this situation, but surely never in their wildest dreams could they imagine something so unthinkable happening. (By all accounts this is a sleepy little place they are holidaying at, with very few crimes.) Still doesn't make it right though imho.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

no it wouldnt be a newsworthy tale however your view on that you have made clear you would say bad parents. My news tale did happen only the result was far worse so your view thats its parents still stands. Yes your worried for the child do you think im not? but my point is valid and validated by your very own view. The parents should not have left the children that is my whole and total point

---------- Post added at 11:32 ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 ----------

yes I am right but today I have been branded ignorant and obnoxious for voicing a view that is right

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Yes but there is no need for you to keep pointing that out all the time, what is and will be obvious to the parents now - FYI - I haven't said I don't blame the parents - but there is a time and place to do the blaming, now isn't one of them. Compassion should come first, blame later.


Actually - that wasn't aimed at you if you read the post again - you didn't mention the parents should be sent to jail - someone else did, and it was aimed at them because it was such a obnoxious and quite ridiculous suggestion in the first instance.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I posted the law information

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

And? You are still not reading the post right zing...

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Ok im sorry . You said I shouldnt have to keep pointing it out but why? they are not gonna be reading it its just a point that I feell needs to be got across to everybody. How many other poeple leave their kids in situations like this? there is a chance that someone who does may well read this dont you think? what if by standing up and saying its wrong instead of pushing it behind the fact a child is missing which does not change the fact its wrong, that person could change their ways a childs life could be save we wont know that of course because the parent wouldnt leave the child alone anymore.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Because we know, you know - everybody now knows, that's why - it doesn't need spelling out whose to blame, I note in the news coverage there is people giving well wishes to the parents, yet there are some on here doing the opposite and its wrong.

Compassion now - blame later.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I have to say I agree with Zingle, but am going to wade into this debate in the shallow end.

I feel most for the poor girl, who where ever she is, lost, hurt or abducted must be terrified, lonely, upset and hungry. When she gets found I hope she is OK and safe and not been hurt in anyway.
I can only imagine what this girl must be going through and the sheer terror she must be feeling. When she is found it is most certain she will carry this with her for the rest of her life. Poor kid.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Got to agree - we can't alter the facts but hopefully everyone who reads this thread will think again before considering doing anything similar.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

you totally missing my point on influence aint ya

Ill finish with

Please anyone who has ever left there children like this please learn a lesson and do not do it again its for the best
and
My thoughts and prayers are for the safe return of the child

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I never said that the parents should be sent to jail either but to be honest I think they should, they left children under the age of 3 on their own Full Stop!!!

Obviously first things first, Find the Child, Sort what happened then sort the parents out IMHO...

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

and how then would the kids have faired in the case of a fire

childen should never be left alone like that

---------- Post added at 12:35 ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 ----------


quite right gtting the girl back is the most inportant thing

but stopping others doing the same is even more important it is obvious from some posts that they see nothing wrong in leaving the kids in this way

it is not if zingles pst mak just ne person think twice about doing the same it will help far more than just feeling sorry for this family

---------- Post added at 12:37 ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 ----------


if they had had dinner in thier room or taken them to dinner it would have been an awfull lot harder for some one to take her

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

"if" being the operative word. harder/easier the end result is the same. the only blame is at the alleged abductor/s no "buts" and "ifs", end of.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I appologise for some of my outbursts last night, if i offended anybody i am sorry, all of us with kids will find this a very imotive subject and post things we may regret later.
Again
Sorry

Mark

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I couldn't have said it better.

I will say though that I don't think the parents should go to jail as that is just making it more difficult for their children but they should be given a hefty fine or something similar. In fact if it all ends happily they should appear on the TV and make a statement to all parents saying 'Don't do what we did'. Even turn it into an advert to make other parents think.

Obviously, they are suffering enough as it is at them moment and they do have my sympathies but when this is all over it shouldn't just be swept under the carpet.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Try reading your own post.
Where are 3 year olds mentioned ? - If you weren't watching them then you must have left them alone, make your mind up. :dozey:

Yes, of course, that would be best for everyone wouldn't it. :rolleyes: While your at it why don't you jail the parents of Holly & Jessica, after all they let them wander the streets aged 10/11, and of course, we must immediately jail Sarah Paynes mother for leaving her young kids to play in a corn field. :erm:

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

A campaign would be a good idea perhaps.



The difference being of course, while kids growing up are prone to go out and play, it's not feasible to watch them wherever they are. Can you imagine parents following their kids out at play?!
Any parent with the opportunity to be able to know their three 3 year old kids are safe and well and not alone would do so.
At least, you'd like to think.
Kids are obviously not safe from predators, but where feasibly possible - i.e. not being left alone at night in a hotel - any parent I know would crawl over broken glass to make sure their kids were safe if it was possible.

I must say I refuse to accept anyone's idea that most people here are trying to detract from this horrific event by trying to apportion blame and not considering Madeleine.
This is people dealing and venting.
I guarantee there is not ONE person among the thousands here that thinks blaming people is the solution. It's human nature to say "if". No-one means any harm by it for goodness sake.
We all want the same outcome. What must we do, not discuss it at all?

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

This is a forum and everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. Of course, we all hope that the child is returned safe and well. But that doesnt hide the fact that the parents should not have left the child on her own. They could see the room from where they were sat? They still left her. What makes this worse, in my view, is that this was in a forgien land of which they did not know well. Ok, this can happen anywhere in the world, but to me it still makes it that little more worse than if it were in their own home.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I totally agree with Zingle on this and am still amazed that folk think leaving young children on their own is acceptable. This was brought home to me recently when someone I know of had their 4 year old die in their arms, everything happened within a few seconds showing how quickly events can happen.

Part of me feels anger towards these parents for being so stupid and selfish yet my heart goes out to them in such a sad and awful situation. I hope that parents that may have taken such a chance in the future may now have second thoughts and realise that bad things can happen when you least expect them.

As for her disappearance I wonder if they have the same system in Portugal as they do in the States where paedos are known to the police and exactly where they live. Maybe that's why the police sound confident as they have an idea who may be involved?

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Portugese Police have arrested a man in connection with the Maddie McCann child abduction incident in The Algarve in Portugal.

http://www.functionpix.com/index.php...Abductor/1376/

Nothing said about Maddie though.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

What???
It looks like its the same as the UK for getting the perves of the streets then :(

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Wow. I wonder why Sky and BBC aren't carrying this story?
I hope it's not bad news.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I've NEVER said it was acceptable but I do hate the way this thread turned into a vigilante thread against the parents with barely any ire against whomever had abducted the child.I also worry about how we on this site sometimes judge others in such a draconian manner.That compassion is not a commodity we seem to show lately.:(

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I have read all the comments on these pages, some blame the parents and some the person who has taken the child, l as a parent with three children and two grandchildren (that are right little bovvers), the whole point of this is that it has taken so much pressure from this country to place on the situation for something to happen, we all know that there are some ' sick ' people out there, who would take someone so young, l hope and pray that she will be found safe, but the longer its goes on to start to wonder if she is still in the country, there was a story in the media, where a young girl was assaulted in her bed, and the parents were in the next room asleep. lets all hope it ends with good news.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

http://www.functionpix.com/index.php...Abductor/1376/

Oh I do hope the report is correct, that they have got someone, and that Maddy is safe. Could it be this was not just a random snatch, by a lucky passing pedophile? Perhaps their every move had been watched. The McCann's were in a party of 9 adults and 8 children, but Maddy was his/her/their chosen target, especially as she was sleeping in the middle of her two siblings, but she was singled out. The abductor was determined, and who is to say that if she hadn't been taken from her bed, they would have found an other opportune moment to snatch her? Hopefully the police have got a list of local offenders, and it won't be long before they nail the culprit.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Why isn't any of this on bbc or sky?

They offered 100K award

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...,00.html?f=rss

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

It wasnt on the last news I saw either an hour ago or so :(

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Makes sense

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I have been checking all the news reports and can find nothing to confirm the earlier news report of an arrest anywhere either on European, or more specifically Portuguese News sites.

I still hope that the reporter has her facts right and that the police know more than they are saying.

No child or parent deserves to be going through this kind of nightmare.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Thanks for that. I've been doing much of the same.
It's a strange one for sure.
Got Sky News on constant anyway. I'm sure something will come to light soon.
Fingers crossed for a happy and positive end to this nightmare.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

We all hope Maddie is found safe and well.
I have a six year old and three weeks ago we stayed in a hotel family room.
When she was fast a sleep we popped next door but one room and left inter com on to listen for her just in case she woke.
We will not be doing that again ever.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I would never leave a child and two very young children alone.
The place they are in is totally unfamiliar to them and young children can get up to loads of things in very little time.

I do feel sorry for the parents though. Whether they should have been with the children or not, they are facing what any parent's dread happening, a complete nightmare.
I really hope that Maddie is found safe and well.
This happening to anyone is just awful and I hope whoever has taken her get's caught.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

The scary thing is most holiday/seaside towns here have these filth mixing with families.
These Sex offenders who get disowned by their Families when convicted when they get released they have no one only other Sex offenders they met in their Sex offenders Prisons.
All seaside Towns have cheap flats/ bedsits the social pay for and in the summer these freaks get a free peep show.
I live by the sea and I'm not paranoid but got my six year old to take up body boarding she wears a wet suit loads of locals do the same.
These offenders only get worse once they get convicted of filth their next offence will be on a new filth level.
On Sex offenders Courses they all have to do these days some try and out filth each other in groups talking about their crimes, surly even the softest do gooders can see the should never be let out because they will if given the chance act out their filthy **** fantasy.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

The media have a lot to answer for when it comes to the varying and often contradictory reports we're getting. In an effort to report something and fill their pages/airtime they seem to take any unattributable quote, rumour or snippet of suspect information and either exaggerate or misreport it. Once seen in the papers or on TV these then become the so called 'facts' we all debate.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Do you know this, or are you assuming? Bear in mind that the media seem to be spending an awful lot of time hyping up the threat of child sex offenders. Also, how many sex offenders are there? The largest haul I heard of was as a result of that FBI operation a couple of years back that netted around 7,000. 7,000 is an awful lot, but when you consider it covered at least the United Kingdom and the United States (combined population nearly 300 million) as well as other countries, it may not be as bad as the media make out.

With an intercom, I would have thought you would be OK.

That's the trouble with our current 24 hour a day news obsession. Companies are fighting so hard for the next "exclusive" that they aren't following proper journalistic procedure (ie checking their facts). Take the Iraq war. According to Private Eye, the BBC were so desperate for content to fill News 24 during that period that they were asking any crew member who bought in a tape to write reports which were then read out.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Have Google by any chance introduced a "pay per click" for the word "Filth"?

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Maybe saying that the parents are to blame is a bit strong and insensitive for now, and in my opinion they will be forever blaming themselves if the poor girl is not found alive or at all.

The thing is if these parents had left their kids unsupervised in the UK and a horrible accident had fallen on one of them at home, say one fell down the stairs etc, however innocently, it is quite likely that the parents would have been arrested/questioned for leaving their children unsupervised at home whilst eating out.

In my opinion they were totally out of order to leave her alone, and I agree with previous posters that they should take a lot of responsibiltiy for this. Yes, you should be able to leave your kids alone in a park for example or in the garden without the fear of them being abducted, but this was a hotel room at night while the parents were off wining and dining.

This the real world and unfortunately the real world is not as safe as we want it to be.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Some Government facts for you

1.The stark reality is that the overwhelming number of acts of child sexual abuse are committed by a family member or someone known to the child. Some 75 per cent of abused children do not tell anyone about this abuse at the time of their being abused. They often wait until they are teenagers or young adults before reporting the crimes committed. Therefore, the majority of current sex offenders are not identified for their crimes.


2.Prison authorities state that only 11 per cent of offenders respond to treatment. Of the 5,000 men in prison for sex offences, only 786 completed the programme last year. Roy Whiting, who was responsible for abducting, assaulting and murdering Sarah Payne, refused to undergo any such treatment.

Re-offending rates are disturbingly high among sex offenders�it is up to 43 per cent. If the therapy programme is not more extensively applied, and offenders get no help in changing their behaviour, by not offering treatment to adult offenders, we release them to commit further offences.

3.It is sadly a fact that almost one-third of all paedophiles fail to fully comply with their licensing agreements, or disappear. This figure will probably increase if the public is allowed access to information on where they live. The most likely increase will be among predatory paedophiles, who will disappear if they fear identification.

The agencies engaged in the multi-agency public protection arrangements outline the problems of predatory paedophiles who disappear from surveillance. Not only do they no longer know where they are living, they are unable to monitor potential opportunities for them to re-offend�such as whether they are living near a school, or have formed a relationship with a mother of young children.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

So why did you want to send that bloke who thought he'd slept with someone of legal age to prison to mix with these foul people?

Personally, I believe convicted child abusers should be locked away for life.
Releasing a paedophile is just too risky.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Update.

Sky News are reporting that Man United's Cristiano Ronaldo has released a public plea asking the safe return of the missing girl, Madeleine McCann. The video of this can be seen at the following link:-

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...264705,00.html

There are also unconfirmed reports that man has been spotted with a child matching Maddie's description at a roadblock near Nelas in the north of the country.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Sadly now being reported as a false alarm.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakin...y98&n=93544276

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Is anyone watching the News Special on this on ITV?

They've just been discussing the fact that the parents left the children alone, and they were saying how they think the parents did everything correct by checking on the children... not being to far away etc etc...
I'm not about to be ranting off about how disgraceful it was of them to leave them in the room while they went for a meal, but i do think it's rather irresponsible for the evening news to say stuff like this... surely that just tells the more common sense deficient people that it's okay to nip out to the shop while the kids are in bed?:shrug:
Of course i also wouldn't expect this show to give the parents a hard time either....but still??

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

The TV and press media is acting in an irresponsible manner towards this story.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

According to Sky News - there has been a significant development:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...264945,00.html

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

The thing is, as with many european countries, they police are not allowed to discuss the case with the media like they do in the UK incase it jepodises any trials.
Makes sense to me, but the UK media isn't happy about it.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I noticed that where the link on the Sky news website once was called 'Missing Madeleine', it now just says 'Madeleine'... :erm:

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNew...15990820070512

Madeleine's birthday today.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Wish I could do something. I just feel so helpless.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Hello everyone,

We have offered a £5k cash reward for info for the safe return of Maddie through Sky News and News of the World. The thinking is people who are involved how ever slight but losing their bottle will know the £1.5 mil reward for info offer will attract publicity they might not want,
here is our offer.

Hello,

Somebody somewhere must know something we don't have much money but here at saferkidz.co.uk will offer £5,000 in cash for information leading to the safe return of little Maddie no questions asked by us, we like everyone else want the safe return of Maddie her birthday today and it would be a god send for Maddie to spend it with her family.
If someone is scared of passing info they have to the Police, Please please Email or phone Sky News, News of the World any British paper or us kenny@saferkidz.co.uk
Just get Maddie back safe and £5k in cash if you want will be with next day at the latest from from us.

Kindest regards

Kenny & staff

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

This is just so heart breaking. I hope the **** that have done this are caught quickly. Heres to the safe return of little Maddy

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I was thinking was she taken to order?

She a blue eyed blonde, and a valuable item in some countries.

lets hope the £2.5m+ will make somebody come forward

REWARD CONTRIBUTORS
JK Rowling
Sir Philip Green
Richard Branson
Bill Kenwright
Eggert Magnusson
John Madejski
Jacqueline Gold
Simon Cowell
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Sir Tom Hunter
Sir Stelio Haji-Ioannou
John Hargreaves

Lets hope these people arn't accuesed of using this for publisity

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Unfortunately there is one name that will be dragged around this forum you can bet and it will be in the middle of the night when no one is looking :(

:tu: from me to all of them for what they are doing.

I just hope that there is good news at the end of this and Maddie is returned safe and well to her family.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I am truly wet at the eyes, and i prey for the lil girls safety.
Not much else i can say :(

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

good point well put mick,but do you see any 18month old twins in carry cots at the bottom of your street,or 3 year old girls without an older sibling?? no? didnt think so.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Let's not only hope that the girl is found alive and well but that other people who've lost children in similar circumstances receive similar backing.

The media have got their teeth into this case but child abductions and unexplained disappearances are not exactly rare and one wonders whether there'd have been a similar response had the parent(s) been less affluent and articulate.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I have family in Portugal and the manner in which this is being covered is slightly different than it is in the UK.

A lot of my Portuguese friends are telling me that there is a lesser degree of compassion being offered to the parents than is here. Reports are aslso coming out that they only checked up in intervals over an hour.

Like Ive said previously, if Maddies mum had been a single mum, or if Maddie had fallen down the stairs at home whilst her parents were out wining and dining, then the media would have put a totally different spin on this.

I hope they find Maddie soon, and don't get me wrong, I do feel for their parents, but I do feel that if they hadn't been a little less 'sirresponsiblein leaving their children (and lets face it they are all under 5) alone with no supervison, then I am quite certain that we wouldnt be where we are now.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I hope Maddie is found safe and well. But I think that her Mum or Dad had something to do with her going missing.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Sky news seem to be making a point of reporting the police are searching a villa 150 yards from where she was taken from.

The plot thickens - the villa is the home of a british woman and her son.

I've got a bad feeling about this :(

---------- Post added at 20:02 ---------- Previous post was at 19:56 ----------

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...265689,00.html

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

" I've got a bad feeling about this :("
I really do hope and pray that you`re wrong on this one. :confused::(

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

The more I'm watching this on Sky, the more the bloke is sounding like Ian Huntley - some startling similarities regarding his behaviour over the last 10 days.

I really really hope I'm wrong too.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Don't forget the media will use the Ian Huntley as a template to make anyone they (the media) believe to be a suspect.
Digging around for any similarities no matter how small, and not informing us of any blatantly obvious information which would show he's just a concerned father.
For instance, the article states that when someone went to the police to mention him, before they'd said his name, the police said they knew who he was. Makes people think "Ah! They know he's dodgy! He must have a history of paedo stuff" rather than "Well of course they know him, he's been translating for them!"

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Sky News have interviewed 2 people who were told by the police that has never translated for them.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Under what situation where these two people asking about the translation role of him?
Were they joe public who just asked PC Plod, or are they involved in the investigation themselves and asked a spokesperson for the police? Remember, in Portugal the police aren't allowed to release information relating to the case like they do in the UK, leaving a void for the media to fight over (hence the reports of incompetence regarding the police).
It could be that these two asked PC Plod "Has he ever translated for you?" and PC Plod said "No" meaning "No, he's never been my translator, I have John to translate for me"


Prime example of the media trying to get people to jump to conclusions so that they'll get more ratings. If it turns out to be a non-event and the guy is actually a translator and totally innocent, the media will move onto someone else, not giving a damn about any damage they've caused by leading people to conclusions without proper investigation.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Both journalists, one for the nationals and one for Sky news, both were suspicious at the way he was hanging around the incident scene without any apparent connection to the investigation and when asked about why he was there, he told them he was working for the police as a translator and this became taken as read (hence your belief).

Both later went to the police with their suspicions and it was then they were told it would have been highly irregular for that to happen and confirmed he was nothing to do with them. Again, according to Sky News.

Although I don't like the way they keep making references to him having a glass eye as if that automatically makes him a wierdo. It's like when there a bald bloke about, it's always "Oh my word he's bald, he must be guilty" :disturbd:

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Interesting as the SkyNews article linked to earlier states that Ian Wood of SkyNews is totally aware of him, from day one, as the journalists asked around for people who knew Portuguese, and he'd been working as their go-between with the police.
So Sky are now hoping people will forget that then?

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I think you're getting confused with his reported role - Wood has stated he was given the guy's name by colleagues as someone who could translate. His role was more of someone who offered himself to the journalists as a go-between, as opposed to being chosen or officially recognised by the police.

It seems he incorrectly (deliberately or not) painted the picture of himself being offered or even recommended by the police.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Sounds like the media are the ones to have made him out to be an interpreter.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

On the contrary - he told more than one journalist that was why he was there. By the way it was Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell who alerted police over her suspicions about him.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

So journalists asked for Portuguese speakers to translate and be go-betweens, he stepped forward (I would guess along with others) to help, Ian Woods reported that he had been acting as a go-between and translator with the police, which it strikes me as working for the media, the media use that to make out that he's said he's working for the police as it makes him look dodgy.
Then of course the police won't say he worked for them.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

No! Why won't you listen?

2 journalists have gone on record and stated he told them he was working for the police.

They then asked the police if he was being used by them in any capacity and on both occasions the police said he was nothing to do with them.

This could be wrong of course but Sky News were playing this on loop for about 45 minutes earlier.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Her son, Robert, who has told journalists he has been helping police with translation work during the investigation, is a frequent visitor to Casa Liliana.

I got the same bad feeling Russ

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6655907.stm

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

So why would Ian Wood say that he was well known to the media as he responded to a call for Portuguese speakers and he'd been working with the media for 3 to 4 days?

Either way there's some dodgy reporting going on.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Some dodgy understanding surely?

He was well known to the media because he'd offered his services to them as a translator. Two of the said journalists became suspicious of his claims he was working for the police.

They approached the police with their suspicious and it was confirmed he was not employed, used or endorsed by them.

How difficult is that to understand?

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

That'll be the same police who wont discuss anything in relation to the case?

Who interpreted their question to the police and the police's response?
"Gaynor De Jesus, who has been working as a translator for Sky News, went to school with Mr Murat and played with him as a child, but had not seen him for years until last week.She said: "I do know that he has been the official translator for the police. All witness accounts, everything that's been coming into them, he has had first-hand information."


All very "weird".

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Also another translator speaking on Sky News said that the man got on well with police and they did not do anything to say he was not working with them when he brought it up to her (in the company of those officers)

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

As Mr A says, it's very wierd indeed.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

15.05.07 05.50am http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6656451.stm

current http://news.sky.com/skynews/madeleine
(Good video footage)

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Don't think it's weird at all - could just be the media trying to be detectives and of course keep the copy rolling. What a scoop for Sky, the Mirror or whoever to be able to claim 'we trapped the perpetrator'. This of course doesn't rule out the possibility they may be right but I trust very little they claim before the facts are known.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Can someone tell me why this case has attracted such a high level of interest from people offering rewards, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying this is a bad thing and anything that can be done to find Maddie quicker is excellent.
I am just wondering why we have the likes of JK Rowling, Branson, Rooney offering rewards that have now totalled in excess of a couple of million I think. It is pretty unprecendented and I was wondering if this has happened before.
Child snatching is not a new occurence but the way this case is being treated makes it like its the first time its happened. I don't recall the same level of interest when, was it Ben, went missing in Greece. Maybe someone can correct me.
Please dont get me wrong, Im not having a go or implying any negativity, I'm just interested in peoples opinions as to why, or even if, they think that this case is being differently.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I think it's pretty unique in the way it appears to have happened - child left alone (I'm not arguing the rights and wrongs of that), parents only 100 yards away, no forced entry etc. All this gives it added publicity.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Educated, affluent and well connected parents?

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Interesting to look at those links a few hours later, they are now calling him a suspect, not a witness

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Well I'll believe all of that when I see/hear a Policeman or other official say it. Until then it's just more media speculation.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

i havent got a son/daughter of my own but im at home with my parents still and my dad brought my brothers son up to our house for a few hours hes only 2 years old called hayden then the news came on about this poor little girl :(
i really hope the weirdo is caught im just flabbogasted at ppl who could do such a thing :(
why o why there so mentally retarded to do/think such sick acts is beyond me :(
im crossing my fingers from now on in and hope the little girl is returned safe to her parents :)
people all over are saying its a bloke whos done this????
like no1 knows whos done it theres alot of sick woman who could do this too ?
fingers crossed for her safe return.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

That's because Portugese law very helpfully allows for 'suspect' to be attached to someone as an official designation - the police can declare it or the 'witness' can ask for it to be applied to him if he chooses. Apparently it grants the person being questioned certain legal rights.

In other words, it may or may not mean anything. As with everything else to do with this investigation, it pays to remember that this is all taking place in another country with a different legal system.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

What I'm about to say maybe a tad contraversial so I'll tag it. Admins / Mods - feel free to remove it if required. Flame me if you like...

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

It gives people something to do as a lot of them are feeling helpless.
I even recieved a chain email yesterday about it.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I gave up trying to educate people that these things being sent around the net are not good after the last person I replied to asking for no more said I was hearless and there really was a little baby suffering from cancer and Bill Gates was tracking the email...

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

2 months ago I had a chain email trying to round up support for a group who were campaigning to keep the Jamie Bulger killers behind bars.

They were released 5/6 years ago.

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

And so the panic measures start: Kevin "Captain Cyborg" (so called because he specialises in designing implants and installing them in his own body) Warkwick has been recieving emails from concerned parents asking about RFID tags for kids. He, of course, is listening to the concerns, and thinks the industry could take off this year. Same as he did with the Soham murders.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05...duction_chips/

Still, Michelle Elliot, director of Kidscape sums up my own feelings..

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Mine to :tu: :tu:

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I wouldnt not leave a child alone because of a risk of abduction anyway I wouldnt leave a child alone in case of accident or injury. Im nervous of letting my daughter go off with friends not because of abduction but because of how busy the roads are and thievery as she carries a mobile phone and accident

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Source: 18:20 Sky

And once again somebody else has had the trial by media treatment and been "branded" guilty.

No doubt the pack will be after him...

Awaits world exclusive by The Sun...

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

Police confirm Murat had translated for them...


Source BBC

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

something.. just something.. is not quite right about this whole affair. :erm: :confused:

Re: Toddler 'abducted' during holiday
 

I think this guy is probably innocent.
The press tipped him off to the police, and it gave them a story when they had nothing else.
It is difficult to assess what the actions of a foreign police force mean, they have different laws and procedures to our own.