[oldie]

More than a handful of TSG members have shown an interest as to what makes the news in old Blighty, the UK. So here's a thread specifically for those stories that may not always make page one, but have a human interest appeal, whether on a local or national level.

At the moment we have the heartbreaking case of a 3 year old tot abducted from her parents room at a holiday complex in Portugal

Police investigating the abduction of three-year-old Madeleine McCann believe they know who snatched her, and are convinced she is still alive. They believe she is being held near to the Algarve resort from where she was taken..

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...264342,00.html

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/...n_page_id=1766

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/...e_id=1770&ct=5



Oldie

[Blackmirror]

I have a feeling she is still alive Oldie and being held somewhere . i hope i am right

[franca]

Teams of officers with sniffer dogs are scouring what one called a "sinister" area called Black Rock near sea cliffs just over a mile from the resort where the youngster was snatched on Thursday.

The search was redirected as the detective leading the hunt said his team had a good idea who the kidnapper was — and that he believes Maddie may still be ALIVE.

[Blackmirror]

Every parents nightmare

[franca]

Hundreds at service for Maddie

By JOHN SCOTT
May 07, 2007


CHURCHGOERS in Maddie’s home village prayed for her safe return yesterday.

More than 100, including dozens of children, joined a 45-minute service at St Mary and St John’s church in Rothley, Leics.

Rev Rob Gladstone said: “We cannot begin to understand how her parents, Gerry and Kate, may be feeling.

“We pray that you will speak to whoever is holding Madeleine at the moment — that they will hear your voice and return her unharmed.”

He gave the congregation a page with six Bible passages — and told them to go home and pray for her.

One said: “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those crushed in spirit.”

Prayers were also offered at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, where Maddie’s family are regulars.

Father Keith Tomlinson said: “They have been here for two years.

“Villagers are very, very sad, imagining what it would be like in their family. I wonder how you ever get over something like this.”

Neighbour Bryan Kennedy, a retired headteacher, said: “I spoke to Gerry last night. He said they are getting considerable support out there.

“Both sets of grandparents are now out there and a family friend has gone out as well.

“As the days go by it gets harder, because you start by hoping for the best and then begin fearing the worst.”

He revealed that plans for Maddie’s fourth birthday next Saturday were going ahead.

He said: “Some friends were planning a party. I told them to continue with those plans.

“One of her mum’s friends is baking her a special cake with a Doctor Who theme, because it’s one of Madeleine’s favourite programmes.”
# AN anonymous well-wisher is offering £100,000 for Maddie’s safe return.

[oldie]

Thanks Franca for the updates

Can anyone imagine the anguish these parents must be suffering

[oldie]

MUMS APPEAL

[Blackmirror]

Its heartbreaking Oldie

[poochee]

Hope they find Madeleine.

[franca]

MADDY: DO NOT HARM HER
Maddy mum's plea as police fear the worst
Vanessa Allen and Martin Fricker In Praia Da Luz 08/05/2007

THE distraught mum of kidnapped Maddy McCann yesterday begged her captor to let her come home - as the detective leading the hunt said he feared she was already dead.

Chief inspector Olegario Sousa told a press conference he was no longer confident that the three-year-old was still alive.

Asked if he thought Maddy would be found safe and well, he replied: "I don't know."
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The senior cop, drafted in from Lisbon to head the case, added: "I haven't enough evidence to say. It is very difficult because I have no facts to say if the child is alive or not.

"We are searching for the child and until the moment she appears we do not know.

"We are not magicians but we are making our best efforts to locate the child."

It will be a crushing blow to Maddy's distraught parents, doctors Kate and Gerry, both 38. Just hours earlier, Kate had read out a statement begging her daughter's captor: "Please, please don't hurt her. Please don't scare her."

Clutching the pink toy cat she has kept by her side ever since Maddy vanished, she choked back tears and added: "We beg you to let Madeleine come home. We need our Madeleine. Sean and Amelie need Madeleine and Madeleine needs us."

"Please give our little girl back." She then repeated the final sentence in Portuguese, saying: "Por favor, devolva a nossa menina."

Sean and Amelie are the couple's two-year-old twins who were sleeping next to Maddy when she was taken from the family's apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on Thursday night.

The couple, from Rothley, Leics, had been dining with pals at a bar just 40yds away and making regular checks when she was snatched. As hundreds of expats, frustrated over the police investigation, continued to search the area surrounding the resort yesterday, it emerged that detectives have an ever-growing list of suspects - possibly including two Brits - but have not officially issued details.

They also failed to release details of what Maddy was wearing - leaving it to her mum to describe her Eeyore pyjamas.

Detectives, who are still treating the case only as a missing persons inquiry, say Interpol and Europol are working with them. Yet they insist they are banned by law from passing any information to Maddy's family.

A search of coastal caves had to be carried out with help from local canoeists because the police did not have enough boats.

Detectives have at least seven possible suspects, and have searched a marina in Lagos after reports a balding man was spotted dragging a young girl along a nearby street.

Another witness said he saw a "suspicious" couple with a blonde girl close to the same marina a few hours after Maddy was taken. Police are also interested in a man who was spotted handing out sweets to young children. Other suspects include a man in dark clothing, a person shouting in English at a girl in a car and a British man "with a strong body".

However, police sources fear Maddy's kidnapper could have taken her from the area by boat as officials failed to alert the Maritime Police of her abduction until 14 hours later.

Police have checked details of boats that left the town on Friday morning, among them were two yachts registered in Denmark and Holland. Another fear is that the kidnapper could have fled by early morning train.

Expat Dave Felton, who joined the search yesterday, said: "I think people are still hoping that we don't actually find her and that she is safe and sound somewhere. If we find her then maybe it is not the best thing."

[oldie]

As per usual, the media is looking to apportion blame here there and everywhere. Only person(s) to blame are the evil doer(s) who snatched little Maddie

Oldie

[franca]

SOCCER STARS IN TV PLEAS FOR TOT
By Martin Fricker And Stewart Maclean 09/05/2007

CRISTIANO Ronaldo pleaded for Maddy's safe return yesterday after her desperate parents begged him for help.

The Portuguese star made an appeal on his country's TV. Speaking in English and Portuguese, 22-year-old Ronaldo said: "I was very upset to hear of her abduction.

"I appeal to anyone with information to come forward. Please come forward."
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Chelsea stars John Terry and Paulo Ferreira last night backed his call. England captain Terry said: "We are urging anyone out there with any information at all - please, please, please come forward." Portugal international Ferreira repeated his teammate's words in Portuguese.

A Manchester United source said: "Ronaldo has followed this story and he's devastated for the family. The story has struck him more than most people because it's happened in his home country.

"He was being interviewed by our MUTV channel and was happy to add his voice to the other appeals for Maddy. He just hopes his words might make a difference."

[Blackmirror]

Originally Posted by oldie

As per usual, the media is looking to apportion blame here there and everywhere. Only person(s) to blame are the evil doer(s) who snatched little Maddie

Oldie

I disagree Oldie .. the parents are to blame for leaving her alone

[franca]

Madeleine search hits web

[oldie]

Originally Posted by franca

Madeleine search hits web

Franca