A reported sighting of missing child Madeleine McCann in a Costa del Sol resort is being probed by Spanish police.
Specialist officers are following up a tip-off received about 10 days ago that a girl resembling the missing British child was spotted in Nerja, 30 miles east of Malaga, sources said.
The possible sighting is being handled by the specialised and violent crime unit (unidad de delincuencia especializada y violenta, or UDEV) of Spain's judicial police, the Malaga-based Sur newspaper reported.
It is understood that Scotland Yard detectives reviewing the case are liaising with their Spanish counterparts about the latest lead. The sighting is thought to be linked to a cold case review into Maddy's disappearance from the Praia da Luz resort.
Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents Kate and Gerry McCann dined with friends nearby.
There have been hundreds of possible sightings of her all over the world since she vanished, but so far they have all come to nothing.
Her parents are preparing to mark the fifth anniversary of her disappearance next month.
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry are aware of this particular report from Spain. It was absolutely right that the police investigate any potential lead.
"Kate and Gerry remain very grateful for the co-operation of the police in the search for Madeleine."
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The ongoing search for Madeleine McCann took a potentially surprising twist this week after a young girl matching the missing youth's description was reportedly spotted...
Mum and Dad off on their hols again?? If she was seen by someone why did they not demand the police were called at once?? The same people no dout have seen Elvis and others. The cuckoo has arived early this year.
cynic123: Mum and Dad off on their hols again?? If she
There is legislation to deal with this issue in a variety areas of legislation, too much to go into here. But the authorities decided not to. If the parents were deemed to be negligent in a European Country it is possible without doubt, the issue could have been dealt with here in this Country for those reasons I have already stated, had they thought the children were at risk. Furthermore, even if they decided not to deal with the issue of the child who went missing in a European Country, they could still consider if these people were fit parents to be caring for their remaining two children. They, the Authorities, obviously decided they were fit parents, they obviously decided for some reason not to address the European disappearance in this Country, that is a question which remains unanswered, and whilst they could have considered the remaining children, for some reason they chose not to. Varous reasons have previously been suggested for this, but to be honest, I should imagine they thought, they were doctors so they were responsible, but many people have been brought before the Courts for far less!
Let us hope a miracle happens and this poor child is found. The above is purely fact, I have not offered my personal opinion in this instance, it is such a sensitive issue, one has to be thoughtful and considerate about such things.
Southern_law_girl: There is legislation to deal with this issue in a
I hate to say this and I hope I'm wrong but with all the substantial rewards that have been offered,someone would have blown the gaff by now......If Maddie is still here.
vindi__boy: I hate to say this and I hope I'm wrong
The source is reportedly undisclosed which is suspicious in itself. Why would anybody not be preapred to disclose their name. Maybe it was Clarence Mitchell after all he is still obviously on the payroll and needs to keep the matter in the press. !!!!!
copackman: The source is reportedly undisclosed which is suspicious in itself.
i heard on the news the other day a lady is being charged because a tv fell on her son and killed him, yet the McCanns can go out for a meal leaving 3 children in bed alone, one goes missing never to be seen again and whats happened to them ? wheres the justice in this world it makes me sick.
olylowe - the difference is the woman where the tv fell allegedly committed a criminal offence of child cruelty in the UK .
The McCanns were in Portugal and no criminal offence was committed under Portugurese Law as the Portuguese Judiciary confirmed in writng to the McCanns lawyer - nothing whatever to do with the UK as the matter arose outside the UK
ronnieince: olylowe - the difference is the woman where the tv
It is not as simple as you suggest. It is possible for crimes committed overseas by UK nationals, say in Portugal, to be tried under relevant UK law especially when the victim of such a crime is also a UK national. Further details can be found in the British Nationality Act 1948 and subsequent alterations to the provision of this act with regard to extra-territorial jursidiction.
XanderScot: It is not as simple as you suggest. It is
Yes, yes - we all know this and I agree it was dreadful that they left their children alone. However, I think we can safely say they have paid a terrible price for their foolishness and learned their lesson the hard way. Can we not just hope that their child will now be returned to them?
timperpat: Yes, yes - we all know this and I agree
I hope Maddie is still alive and happy but I have a sneaky suspicion that she was taken away out to sea in a boat, assulted and thrown overboard weighted down. How easy would that have been. She would have been eaten by fish before anyone could find any remains.
millymojo26: I hope Maddie is still alive and happy but I
i think there are peeps out there that know exactly where she is .
if someone spotted her why did they not go up to them and shout and shout till they had someone call999 or am i thick or what shirley
she must know that it isnt her parents she is with and i guess she would be able to scream when shes out and about surely
shirleychris: i think there are peeps out there that know exactly
I cannot begin to imagine what Madeleine's parents have gone through since she disappeared and I fervently hope that this isn't another mistaken sighting of their precious little girl.
Marben: I cannot begin to imagine what Madeleine's parents have gone
You cannot possibly any of you STILL think the parents had anything to do with this. WHAT after ALL the money they have spent on tryintg to find her, keeping it in the public eye you have to be truly joking. Don't you think they'd have let sleeping dogs lie if they were guilty of anything bad at all.
Yes they took their eye off the ball when they went eating while she was in the apartment but as parents we are never any of us 100% perfect. Like another said if anything i was over protective with my son yet still he managed to give me the slip the ONE and only day he wasn't on a wrist strap attached to me and I was absolutely frantic until I found him only 2-3 mins later but I tell you it felt like 100 years so lets not be too hard on them and yes our hearts go out to them.
chrissie87: You cannot possibly any of you STILL think the parents
what better way than to throw the police off the scent than to kick up a fuss and spend money on finding her. that is the mentallity of thousands but my self i believe they are innocent of all but one thing that is leaving her and her siblings in the apartment ALONE while they went out for a meal people have been charged with neglect for the same thing in the past
courier2you: what better way than to throw the police off the
Yes I agree its not good and I'm certain they feel guilty about it every day of their lives now BUT can you honestly sit there and say you've never made even one mistake in your entire life - we all do stupid things then regret them afterwards only difference is this one had dire consequences and now they are paying the ultimate price and no doubt wish they could turn the clock back and do things differently !!!!
chrissie87: Yes I agree its not good and I'm certain they
The reason these stories are inaccuate is because this so-called news page is as interested in reporting truth, facts and well researced arguments as it is in creating underwater ski resorts.
Honestly, if anyone thinks this site cares about truth rather than catchy headlines they need to think again.
swinderbykid: The reason these stories are inaccuate is because this so-called
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PA/Huffington Post UK | Posted: 17/04/2012 16:32 Updated: 18/04/2012 13:35