Maddie Sketch

[Charlie_x]

THE Portuguese police have reportedly disregarded the sensational new sketch of a man believed to have snatched Madeleine McCann.

A source reportedly told Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha that the sketch could be of "any one of dozens or hundreds of people" who have passed through Praia da Luz.

It added that the Portuguese police have already "discarded" the information as it has no solid basis.

"At this stage in the investigation, it is just a diversionary tactic," the newspaper added.

Private detectives hunting missing Madeleine were chasing up dozens of new leads last night after releasing sketches of a suspect.

They were swamped with calls following yesterday’s plea from parents Kate and Gerry to find the oddball.

An FBI-trained artist drew two likenesses of him based on three sightings by Brit Gail Cooper near where Maddie vanished.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “Kate and Gerry are quite buoyant. They would be pleased by a single phone call, let alone dozens. Every one could be the one that brings the breakthrough.”

Gran Gail, 50, tipped off cops about the weirdo days after four-year-old Maddie disappeared from Portugal’s Praia da Luz in May but heard no more.

The McCanns’ investigators Metodo 3 followed up the April sightings. Gail said the suspect was aged 38-45, long-haired with a handlebar moustache and big teeth. He may have been North African.

She saw him in the rain on a deserted beach at the resort — and again standing by a group of kids from the Mark Warner Ocean Club, which Maddie later attended. He also asked her for cash to help an orphanage.

Gail, who was on holiday from Newark, Notts, said: “He was very unpleasant and creepy. I felt vulnerable in his presence. He made my blood run cold.”

The images were yesterday circulated to cops in the UK, Portugal and Morocco, and Interpol chiefs.

Mr Mitchell said the McCann team had drawn up an action plan for how they want the investigation to proceed from here.

First, they want a worldwide search for the man, coordinated by a central telephone number manned by their private detective agency to identify and locate the man in the sketches.

All information gleaned from this is to be passed on to the Portuguese police.

Second, they want a full review of all police records and witness statements, including one taken from a 12-year-old girl who reported sightings of a strange man in the Portuguese resort in May last year.

Third they want complete collaboration between the Portuguese police, Interpol and the authorities in Spain, Morocco and Britain.

Gerry and Kate, both 39, of Rothley, Leics, are suspects in Maddie’s disappearance but deny any involvement.


Anyone with information can call the confidential phone line on 0034 902 300 213.