Madeleine McCann: Melissa Fiering Sees, An Algerian And Waldo
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
THE SUN (front page): “MADDIE SEEN IN FRANCE”
“Eye-defect girl in cafe” – Why do they stare, daddy?
DAILY MIRROR: “I SPOTTED MADDY AT CAFE IN FRANCE”
A picture of Melissa.
“’This is so significant because the girl noticed the blemish in the eye and it’s on CCTV for first time’ - McCANN FAMILY SPOKESMAN CLARENCE MITCHELL LAST NIGHT”
This is the Mirror’s “EXCLUSIVE THE HUNT FOR MADELEINE”
To France:
“The little girl was spotted in a motorway service station cafe by student Melissa Fiering, 18, who insists she clearly saw the distinctive flaw in her right iris”
Says Melissa: “My friend and I had music playing loudly out of our mobile phones and this little girl was dancing to it. It was only when I looked closely at her I realised it was Madeleine. She had a very thin face and her blonde hair had been cut much shorter, down to her jaw. But it was her”
Why so certain?
“I looked in her eye because I’d seen on TV that Madeleine’s got a defect in her right iris and I saw this girl had it. I could hardly believe my eyes but I knew for sure it was Madeleine. I called out her name and she looked up at me - she obviously recognised it”
Obviously. Dancing with a small child and then you shout out a name and she looks at you…
“But when I called out ‘Madeleine’ the man she was with got worried and started dragging her away from the queue”
The man with Madeleine is described as a “dark-skinned man, who was possibly Algerian”. Blonde girl with dark-skinned man. Like her?
What did Melissa do when he was spotted, this swarthy man?
“As he dragged the girl away he threw a white coat over her and pulled a woollen hat from his pocket and jammed it on her head. Melissa adds: ‘He didn’t say a word but as they got to the door he prodded the girl in the back. I tried to take pictures on my phone but I only got one and it was all blurred. I ran outside after them but they’d vanished”
Vanished?
“WE HAVE THE GUN THAT KILLED RHYS”
Rhys Jones was killed in Liverpool, shot by a youth on a bike
“Rhys’s mum Melanie, 42, and dad Stephen, 45, who have received a message of sympathy from Madeleine McCann’s family, issued a statement for tomorrow’s six-month anniversary of the shooting”
Why do we know this?
The message says: “We are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of our beautiful son Rhys. The pain we have had to face every day has been magnified by the poignancy of occasions like Christmas and Rhys’s 12th birthday. The last six months have been a living nightmare. All we want is justice for our son”
Rhys Jones is murdered in Liverpool. Rhys Jones was 11 years old. His parents are not suspects
DAILY EXPRESS: “MADELEINE IN NEW ‘SIGHTING’ AT RESTAURANT”
Dutch woman. A restaurant? Not a therapist. A student
The Dutch student is “100 per cent certain” she saw Madeleine McCann in a roadside restaurant in southern France
Says Melissa: “I called out ‘Madeleine’ and she looked up. The man with her was about six feet tall, with black hair, a black leather jacket and several days growth of stubble. He put on her coat and hat and bundled her away”
She adds: “I can’t stop thinking about it. I wish I had stopped that man. I wanted to pick her up, I am sorry I didn’t do that”
LIVERPOOL DAILY POST: “Madeleine McCann ’spotted’ in Southern France”
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: “Student claims to have sighted Madeleine McCann in France”
A reader comments: “Is this kid going to replace Waldo?”
ASSOCIATED PRESS: “French police investigating an alleged sighting of Madeleine McCann in southern France have determined it was not the missing British girl.
A police official says a Dutch tourist reported that she may have seen McCann at a roadside restaurant. Examining closed-circuit video footage, the investigators spotted a man and a young girl who resembled McCann, but determined it was not her.
Posted: 21st, February 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,234) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 am
The man has allegedly been identified and contacted, but after one week it is still not mentioned that the girl has been identified. What do you think about that?
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
The McCanns’ or perhaps it is more acurate to say ‘The mouthpiece of the McCanns’ ‘ public request to see the CCTV footage of this ‘Madeleine sighting’ is far too public to be anything other than a publicity stunt - yet more spin.
I wonder if the McCanns have ben advised that if it were ever to be proven that they knew that Madeleine was dead before they reported her ‘abduction’, they are collecting criminal liabilities every time they do anything which claims otherwise? I wonder if Clarence Mitchell will absorb the responsibility and leave the McCanns clean, whilst he can claim (perhaps truthfully?) that they fooled him?
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
No ferdi/1082, it’s called you not knowing what you are talking about, you derided the suggestion that the Prosecutor had refused the Inspectors request for a warrant to arrest KM, the judge is only involved, as in most countries if the state prosecutor decides there is evidence for a warrants issue.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:56 am
Daily Mail yesterday
‘I sympathise with the McCanns’ says father of British student murdered in France 18 years ago ”
What the hell has it got to do with Madeleine?
I am thick or sick …may be both
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 am
Just to clarify something - this sighting happened a week ago and was immediately reported to the French Police who apparently took action re borders etc. It was on Dutch TV on Monday - it was not picked up by any other press at the time - it was discussed on here. I would have thought the Mccanns would have known about it right from the start.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
1089
PeterMac
Its pure bollocks….
The whole lot
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
But you would also have to know whether to shout
Madelin (standard English received pronounciation)
Madalenne (closest to French orthography)
or
Gerry McC’s —– Maaaaad’l'n
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 am
1087
Ferdinand
The mcFroggies dont care.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:48 am
1085 Carmen February 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
I don’t know if you are aware, but here in France, where this child was ’spotted’, ‘Madeleine’ is the name of the sweet cake most often offered to children as a sweet.
- - -
Yes, thanks for that. I actually posted it yesterday.
Shout Madeleine, and every child looks up, and every adult looks for their copy of Proust’s “A la Recherche …”
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 am
1075
Maria
I am unreasonable????
I would have flown and INSISTED to see the video on the dot.No cops on earth would stop me no bureaucratic circus would stop me.Nothing
But it seems the mcHighness are in no hurry to move their asses.
They were in a hurry to legg it out of portugal yes.
This “sighting” is pure bollocks.
Excuse my chinese
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
” 4. They go to the police - it’s not taken massively seriously.
5. They appear in the press and say they’re 100% certain.”
But normally they wait some time before they go to the press. The dutch woman did not wait.
Also, why does Clarence publically ask for the McCanns to be presented the video?
If it becomes public that the McCanns have seen the video, their judgement will be awaited. But what should they say in public? In case it really were Madeleine, anything they said would be unhelpful, but saying nothing would also be.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
1085 - no wonder the child looked up then.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
“….Meanwhile detectives from the McCann’s private investigators Metado 3 were back in Praia da Luz last night. They were seen studying aerial photos of the area…..”
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
very good morning to all
very quiet again this morning i see
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:11 am
1080 Gandolf Says:
“Ferdi, what like the prosecutor being the man, who decides if a request for a warrant is issued.”
The prosecutor issues a request, if he decides to do so. The judge decides about the request.
The police has nothing to decide at all. They belong to the executive and bring up the evidence, the witnesses and the suspects, and then the judiciary makes the decisions.
It’s called “separation of powers”.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 am
Pray For Little Soul
I think I’d react to anyone shouting anything near me. It’s normal to look round if someone shouts.
It’s always the same pattern though :
1. See ‘Madeleine’
2. Call out her name.
3. A man or a couple bundles her hurriedly away - sometimes she looks scared.
4. They go to the police - it’s not taken massively seriously.
5. They appear in the press and say they’re 100% certain it’s Madeleine and they now regret they didn’t grab her.
6. The McCanns say the sighting is encouraging but do nothing.
7. The police announce it’s not Madeleine.
8. Madeleine look-a-like appears in the press, her family express sympathy for the McCanns’ ordeal - little girl looks almost nothing like Madeleine.
A pattern is the hallmark of an Urban Myth - so I’ll disbelieve all of them till the press conference announcing she’s found.
———–
Karen,
well done! it’s tragic, and it’s laughable all of this - which is a shame, seeing as the subject is a child. and all those who think they’re spotting Madeleine must think real hard and examine their convictions that it is her because no one, no one, who was not familiar with Madeleine McCann can say with ANY certainty that they would recognise her on the basis of the VARIOUS likenesses of her that have appeared in the press since her disappearance.
- - - -
And of course, even with almost every mobile phone in the world now containing a camera, you must remember …
NEVER take any photos
NEVER write down the registration number of any vehicle
NEVER write down a good comprehensive description of any adult person
NEVER draw the sighting to the attention of anyone else in the area
NEVER mention it to the staff at the location
NEVER ring the police immediately.
NEVER follow the people involved
NEVER continue to call Madeleine’s name
NEVER try to engage the child in conversation in English
Never …
I agree. Urban myth. But they have to keep them coming as we discussed before.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 am
Ferdi, what like the prosecutor being the man, who decides if a request for a warrant is issued.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 am
1078 Ferdinand Says:
“Administrator: I am not aware of any banned lawyers being involved anywhere. There may be the odd non-practised or practising individual. -agw ”
My example was only hypothetical. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.:-)
-agw That’s all right then.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
1072 Maria Says:
“Either way, if you have time, could you tell me what the problem was?”
I am not a moderator, but I think if you quote embarrassing statements of other persons, it would make it easier for the moderators if you add the sources. Especially, if the person you quote is a banned lawyer.
HTH
Administrator: I am not aware of any banned lawyers being involved anywhere. There may be the odd non-practised or practising individual. -agw
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 am
Maria asks:
M and A
It looks to me as though you’ve taken my post (666!) out of moderation?? If so, thank you!
Either way, if you have time, could you tell me what the problem was? I don’t like limbo and don’t want to go there again. Hell is much better!
Thank you.
Administrator: It had been referred to me because of an earlier unrelated posting. I overslept until 4.30am and was not aware of the issue until then. The Moderators did the correct thing in leaving it. No apologies from us, no thank yous necessary from you; just another factor in the extra-ordinary life of Anorak folk. -agw
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 am
Totje
This is from “The Resident”, Feb. 10th.
It mentions that point we were discussing last night, ie if or why Ribeiro mentioned Murat in that interview or only the McCanns. If this report is correct, there was no mention of Murat.
I usually find The Resident very calm and objective in its reporting. I’d guess this is correct.
“Meanwhile, the lawyer of Robert Murat, the first person named as an arguido in the Madeleine case also reacted to the statements.
Francisco Pagarete told The Resident on Monday that he could not “see the purpose of this radio interview” and that he didn’t “know if he (Alípio Ribeiro) just forgot to mention Robert”. “The only thing I know is that the timing and the formula are all very strange, especially now when it seemed that the investigation was going to speed again,” he said.”
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Jo
After all, even if they are 99.9999999% sure it’s not Madeleine, it’s natural for them to want to be certain.
Wouldn’t you??
What makes you think that the police would show them the film if they DID go to Montpellier? I’m sure they’d go in a flash if the police said that was the only way they’d get to see the footage. But it’s not necessary.
BTW, if they went, they’d be accused of wasting money on pointless stuff and just wanting a break in south of France.
Think you’re being just a tad unreasonable!
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Karen and VQ
Saw “Murder in the Red Barn” once. Fantastic! It was “interactive” too, before that term became popular!
Get to your classes now! I have hospital appointment so no work this morning. I’m just lurking here to find out about my banned post. Intrigued. Then I’ll take your very kind advice from last night, VQ!
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:51 am
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/02/22/mccanns-beg-to-see-cctv-film-89520-20327315/
They are crucified
They are begging
They havent moved their asses half an inch to go to france to go and see this poor quality video
They carry on making biiiiig fools of themselves
They are pathetic
They didnt deserve Madeleine
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:47 am
M and A
It looks to me as though you’ve taken my post (666!) out of moderation?? If so, thank you!
Either way, if you have time, could you tell me what the problem was? I don’t like limbo and don’t want to go there again. Hell is much better!
Thank you.
Administrator: It had been referred to me because of an earlier unrelated posting. I overslept until 4.30am and was not aware of the issue until then. The Moderators did the correct thing in leaving it. No apologies from us, no thank yous necessary from you; just another factor in the extra-ordinary life of Anorak folk. -agw
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:42 am
Am I still in moderation?????
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ciara
Found several of your posts in Mod queue when I was trawling through it this morning.
The site software AUTOMATICALLY dumped your posts there because you CHANGED your details, trying to post as Ciara instead of Ciara-Loiuse. This produced a mismatch with the details held about you and you were therefore treated as a NEW poster (comments submitted by a new poster are automatically pulled into Moderation for review)
Duncanr
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:54 am
Must, must, must go to bed.
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 am
Veritable
Cool. We will survive.
Are you a student or a teacher?
What country are you in?
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:42 am
Karen
I have a class at 9.00 am (I’m going to be a walking corpse).
–
Have an early class, too. We will both make!’
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 am
I have a class at 9.00 am (I’m going to be a walking corpse).