Liverpool Echo
Vicki Kellaway
Paedophile is fresh line of enquiry
A convicted paedophile is being investigated over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Briton Raymond Hewlett was reportedly staying near Praia da Luz, in Portugal, when the three-year-old went missing in May 2007.
Madeleine's Liverpool-born mum Kate and dad Gerry's private investigators have confirmed the 64-year-old is a line of enquiry.
He was jailed several times for sexual offences against young girls.
Hewlett is said to be being treated for throat cancer in a German hospital.
Clarence Mitchell, the McCann's spokesman, said: "We are aware of Raymond Hewlett and the claims that have been made about him.
"The investigators searching for Madeleine are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding these claims..
"Mr Hewlett is an individual of interest to the Madeleine investigation but I would stress it is just one line of inquiry.
He said Madeleine's parents were "fully aware" of the development.
Ex-soldier Hewlett has appeared on a Crimestoppers list of Most Wanted paedophiles.
In September 1972 he abducted a 12-year-old and took her to moors near his home in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
In 1978 he attacked another girl, this time putting a gun to her back but she managed to convince him visitors were arriving imminently and he let her go.
Couple Alan and Cindy Thompson reportedly raised the alarm about Hewlett after meeting him on holiday in Portugal.
Mr Thompson, 56, said: "Hewlett befriended us but kept quiet about his terrible past.
"We were mortified and disgusted to discover the truth." Hewlett reportedly told the Thompsons he had done nothing wrong He said: "You're basing it on someone's past. You shouldn't be talking to me about it. I've done nothing wrong."
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