Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has been pictured in handcuffs and shackles after allegedly suffering two broken ribs in a prison cell. The 43-year-old paedophile was seen leaving a hospital in Braunschweig, northern Germany, before a court appearance on Monday.
Brueckner was reportedly injured in a holding cell at the court building. His lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher, has filed a formal complaint against guards, claiming his client was hurt by officials. However, a regional court spokeswoman said an investigation has been launched, and the court has suggested Brueckner may have fallen over.
The incident occurred before a hearing in which Brueckner was appealing a 21-month sentence for drug dealing. He is currently serving a seven-year sentence for raping a 72-year-old American woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2005. Madeleine McCann vanished from the same resort in May 2007.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a prison guard tell medics: “Somebody’s been rioting in there.” Brueckner was taken to hospital by ambulance and spent an hour in the emergency room before returning to court, where the hearing proceeded two hours late. Court officials have refused to comment further, citing an ongoing investigation.
Brueckner has denied any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance. German prosecutors allege he was on a phone call near the Ocean Club around the time she went missing.
