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
- The Real Stig on The Great Cathay Pacific Blocked Toilet Mystery
- SoDak-GhostDog on Interview With Survior Of James Arthur Ray’s Sedona Sweat Lodge
- Katie Norman on I’m A Celebrity: Joe Bugner’s Career In Pictures
- HOTWATER on Madeleine McCann: The Media Creates A New Maddie Monster And Twists The Facts
- yampster on Dundee Woman Accused Of Ripping Out Lover’s Testes With Her Bare Hands
February 21st, 2008 at 9:12 pm
663
Julie
103%.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Bâtman/669, correction, YOU have no evidence.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Damn they changed the numbers……
>>>>>>>> etc
February 21st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
651
Garth
Watch it boy! That’s close to Montpellier [and Uzes, very pretty town].
February 21st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Wonder if I am too late to trademark/copyright “Whoosh Clunk”?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Gandolf
I’ll avoid the obvious jokes.
Hey I got 666, that will tickle my flock at the hospice.
>>>>>>>>>gone!
February 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
661
Totje Says:
February 21st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
635
Jolie
Don’t worry. M and A have done a great job and warned us frequently about libellous postings. These are/were removed.
**********
yeah…great job!
February 21st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
661
Garth
Why dont you ever answer my posts to you now?
What I have done?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
664
typo. Should read - we have NO evidence that M was ever even in Portugal etc.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Jolie
One my rare visits! (You have teased me before about my “leaving” Anorak! But I do rarely post these days, you have to admit!)
First, thanks for the Zeitgeist links. I followed through the interactive page. It was really interesting, though, obviously, one can’t follow all the links! It reawakened an old interest in Egyptian religious ideas and gave me a couple of hours fascinating reading following up some of the links, eg. in Fraser’s “Golden Bough” and the Wallis Budge edition of the “Book of the Dead”.
I can’t print out the page as it’s white on black. Very clever! Any ideas?! I don’t know enough about the subject matter to have a valid opinion but I enjoyed myself! I will try to see the film as well.
Secondly, the point about TB. I think he has always been selective in his material! He frequently produced on Anorak, press articles which supported his views, whilst studiously ignoring, or rubbishing, articles with a different view. For example, he sought to smear the reputation of the local priest by repeating suggestions that the McCanns had confessed a crime to him. TB even suggested himself that they might have asked him to give Madeleine the last rites (”or whatever that mumbo-jumbo is” said TB). The implication was that the priest had also broken the seal of the confessional by reporting the matter to the Vatican which is, presumably, keeping quiet about this dreadful crime. TB then repeated more than once the story in the Express etc, of the priest’s supposed depression about the McCann case whilst refusing to accept the article in The Resident in which the priest denies the truth of these rumours! TB also tried to smear the reputation of Brigid O’Donnell and Jes Wilkins. O’D wrote an article in the Guardian about this case. She and her partner didn’t know the McCanns but happened to be in Praia da Luz in May and met them, or at least, Jes played tennis with GMc. O’D was clearly deeply moved by Kate’s grief and despair after Madeleine’s disappearance. She said she couldn’t bear even to look at her. Jes, as a potential witness, has said nothing, but O’D’s article made it clear they think the McCanns are innocent. To even suggest that she was lying in her article or, as TB did, that they may have been involved in a drugs party with the McCanns, is disgraceful and inexcusable.
IMO, a solicitor, even if retired or non-practising, might be expected to abide by an appropriate professional code of ethics. Truth should be paramount. So should discretion. It is a matter of concern when a lawyer comments at all on a case like this in the careless way TB has. However, I accept that chatting on an internet site is one thing (although I wouldn’t myself choose a solicitor who indulged in such gossip), but to produce now, for wider publication, a list of “reasons”, based in some cases on unsubstantiated media “reports” or simply rumour (which TB himself has often been only too happy to spread), is quite unacceptable and unprofessional IMO. Even if there is no strict legal requirement to refrain from public comment before charges have been brought, most reputable lawyers would automatically avoid potentially prejudicial comment, even at an earlier stage, in a case which could still come to court.
TB can know nothing significant about this case. He has not, I presume, read the statements of the McCanns and friends, nor has he seen the police files. This is their investigation, not his. TB knows nothing that the rest of us don’t know.
I have doubts about his petition and I think it shows poor legal judgement. Laws in the field of social and family behaviour have to be sufficiently flexible to allow an element of judgement and interpretation. TB’s wording would suggest something rigid and black and white. It could never be accepted as law. The law as it stands is sufficient, if used correctly, to deal with neglect. It often is.
I admit, as someone said earlier, that TB will gain publicity, but both his “reasons” and his petition may only throw his case into disrepute and pose questions both about his motivation and his judgement.
relaw0600
February 21st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
A lot of my links to articles don’t work either [found out yesterday when I was searching about the searching of the t9/Sangria 7 whatever].
February 21st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Val 654
A wind up.
But watch and you’ll see what I mean.
<-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-<-< gone
February 21st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
……..its approaching……….who’s it gonna be?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
649 Gandolf
I would go further. We have evidence that M was ever even in Portugal. The only undisputed fact available is that sometime on May 3rd Madeleine McCann was reported missing.
End. Whoosh. Clunk.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Must be Totje
No seriously, I’m just getting sick and tired of the minute his name pops up, all this foul language and goading comes out. He has some quite good explanations as to what he thinks happened … they may be opposite to what I think .. but when you give him a chance, and treat him with the respect that you feel you deserve, then he comes out with some pretty darn good posts! And after all, I may be right about what I think, you may be right about what you think and he may be right in what he thinks … we may never know …. but at least his arguments are feasible!
February 21st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
635
Jolie
Don’t worry. M and A have done a great job and warned us frequently about libellous postings. These are/were removed.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
644
Dee Says:
February 21st, 2008 at 8:54 pm
637
Julie Says:
*****
’tis but a joke my dear. We were all having a joke the other evening at Garth’s staunch beliefs. He is all too quick to put people down on their views about the neglect and the sham that this case has become.
————
Alright Dee, we’ll start again.
You were laughing at my staunch beliefs? Now which ones?
And dont say all of em
………if you can be a little more specific?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
616
Totje Says:
February 21st, 2008 at 8:43 pm
“[...] Just catched up posts. Not in a good mood after reading a lot about people who were sent to jail after [amongst other things] failing a lie detector test. [...]”
********
Good evening, Totje.
Forgive me, trying to catch up too, but I didn’t see any posts about lie detector tests today. Did read a couple of days ago posts about someone who did NOT fail the test, yet was convicted.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:03 pm
652
Garth just needs to let people have their say also, as everyone’s opinion in a forum is relevant. He attacks when its best to be quiet and listen.
Julie Says:
***
No worries
February 21st, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Scarlett, allegedely it is equine.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
629
Scotfree
A while ago Sky hadn’t [yet].
February 21st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Clueless
Who said anything about abduction? Only you i fink? I know its very doubtful but anyway, do you know somefink we dont?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:01 pm
627
Julie
Hey, what happened Julie? That picture he posted?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:01 pm
648 Scarlett
I make it Ashes to Ashes on BBC 1 at 9pm.
Is it a change of program or a wind up?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
538
just_me Says:
Two points:
1) ‘Like you say jolie, each to their own.’
-In a legal capacity, ‘each to their own’ is not relevant… But facts are fairly relevant for a laywer
2) ‘Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes, but like I have said before, tony is only doing his best!’
-But not good enough - he wouldn’t be on my list if I needed a brief
February 21st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
#
644
Dee Says:
February 21st, 2008 at 8:54 pm
637
Julie Says:
*****
’tis but a joke my dear. We were all having a joke the other evening at Garth’s staunch beliefs. He is all too quick to put people down on their views about the neglect and the sham that this case has become.
———————————————–
Dee, if you’re joking about the D thingie, I apologise. However, I don’t think that Garth has EVER said that he supports the neglect side of this issue. The reason that this case has become a sham in my opinion, is because of all the dubious media reporting over it!
February 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
642
jo Says:
February 21st, 2008 at 8:52 pm
624
Garth
You would luve mine spanish style with chorizo picante earthy and filling with garlick bread fried artichokes and mushrooms a nice little wine nothing OTT…..
——————
Im all for trying things once. It just so happens that next week I’ll be travelling down to south France, Nimes to be exact. Could I get to your place on foot from there next Friday? After the pub of course. Definately sounds better than the local kebab house.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
625
jo,
Like I said yesterday, the girl is only about 18 yrs. May be also a bit romantic? I don’t know. But the police obviously took it serious and investigated it. Btw did you read she had a friend with her that first spotted that girl and drew MF’s attention to her?
We can’t still be sure MM is dead, though chances that’s she’s [still] alive are small imo. I feel lucky I’m still not such a cynic to disgard everything at first sight.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Bâtman, I am glad you agree there is no evidence of anything, you see I never claimed she was abducted either. I am one of these people who has no idea what happend, and you know what, neither does anyone else on this board.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
************
587
Gandolf Says:
February 21st, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Scarlett/568, well it most certainly is not human, the dogs are only as good as their handlers, and the FSS have already had a very public bust up with the Portuguese, along the lines of “there is no DNA”.
*************
Hey now there’s a riddle, something that is not a pet dog or domestic animal, but is not human…
Now I don’t think fruit, flowers or vegetables have DNA as such. What are we left with?
A police dog? A guide dog?
A farm animal?
A wild animal?
A bird?
Better tell me the answer soon, I’m watching a documentary about the PJ at 9 o’clock (BBC1)