Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner to face retrial over rape in ‘game changer’ for missing toddler case

OFFICIALS are set to send Christian Brueckner back to court over rape claims and reignite the Madeleine McCann case against him. Germany’s top prosecutor has secured a hearing to tell an appeal judge Brueckner, 50, should not have been cleared of rape in 2024 – and must face a retrial. Maddie suspect Christian Brueckner being led away from his new home in Neumunster, Germany by police Credit: Dan Charity Madeleine McCann vanished on a family holiday to Praia da Luz on the Algarve in 2007 Credit: PA:Press Association Crucial evidence with the power to put Brueckner behind bars for good was revealed to have been left out of the trial by The Sun – and could now finally be used against him. The hearing announcement, set for January, has been hailed by Maddie investigators in Europe as “a game changer” as they realise a retrial will almost certainly follow under the German system. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! A second trial is seen as crucial for the McCann case as it could put fiend Brueckner in jail for good. That is when investigators have said they would finally charge the sex offender over Maddie. A source close to the case in Germany said: “This is a case with very little good news – and no prospect of a happy outcome. Read more in Madeleine McCann Watch The Sun’s documentary: Madeleine McCann: The Evidence on Prime Suspect Christian Brueckner “But for those who want to see Brueckner charged over Madeleine, this new court date is a gamechanger. “The way the German system works means every part of the original trial will be considered – and the judge overseeing it is incredibly sharp. She will miss nothing. “Maddie investigators realise for the first time, there is a genuine will to see a retrial and for something to be done about Brueckner.” Most read in The Sun Bruckner pictured out and about on his bike in the German town of Kiel in June Credit: Dan Charity / Newsgroup Newspapers Ltd Brueckner remains the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case Credit: AFP Drug dealer Brueckner was cleared of the rape of Irish holiday rep Hazel Behan in 2024 allowing him to sensationally be freed last year. He has now been ordered to appear before a court in Leipzig at the start of next year in front of one of Germany’s leading appeal judges, Judge Loisa Bartel. A decision on the appeal would follow in as little as a few days. It means Brueckner could face a second rape trial as soon as next spring – although he would not be held on remand. A letter from the court to expected attendees reads: “Criminal proceedings against Christian Stefan Brueckner for aggravated rape, among other offences. “In the above-mentioned criminal proceedings, the scheduling of the main hearing of the appeal on points of law (Revision) concerning the appeals lodged by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the private accessory prosecutors (Nebenklägerinnen) is now pending. “The main appeal hearing is therefore to take place in front of the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig on Monday, 11 January 2027.” Prosecutors in Germany still believe he kidnapped and killed Madeleine, three, in 2007 – while British cops have also stepped up their enquiries into the paedophile and are looking at the possibility of extraditing him to the UK. Their tactic has been to secure a second rape conviction against the sicko that would allow a court to cage him for life – and embolden German cops to prosecute him over the McCann case. Brueckner was released from jail last year Credit: AFP The rapist seen leaving jail in a blacked out car Credit: EPA As long as Brueckner remains free cops remain panicked he could flee Germany and go into hiding – a tactic he has used in the past when facing suspicion over crimes. Rolling 24-hour police surveillance of Brueckner was scrapped earlier this year raising fears tracking the sex offender could finally slip out of the country. But this has now been reinstated, however, as German officials realise it is essential for preserving the suspect’s safety in the wake of low-level vigilante attacks. Brueckner has been laying low since publicly declaring he “f***ing hates Maddie” in a vile video outburst published on YouTube. Three-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leics., vanished from the Ocean Club, in Praia da Luz, Portugal on May 3 2007 while on holiday with her family. Brueckner was named as the prime suspect in the disappearance and murder of the tot in 2020 by German cops. Police have been able to confirm his phone was near Ocean Club, where the McCanns were staying, around the time Madeleine disappeared on May 3, 2007. Witness Helge Busching claims a year later Brueckner all-but-confessed to him at a music festival, in Spain, saying “she didn’t scream” as the pair discussed the McCann case. Investigators say they have physical evidence Madeleine is dead but no forensic proof tying Brueckner to the case. An exclusive Sun investigation – aired as a Channel 4 documentary in May – revealed cops are in possession of images that help contribute to their understanding Maddie is dead. They also have appalling child abduction stories where Brueckner daydreams about snatching and abusing young girls – including one outside a kindergarten. He even brags about his desperation to “take something small and use it for days” in online chats with another paedophile. Despite the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, investigators have been reluctant to chargeover the casess, fearing the lack of forensic evidence would harm their chances. They were also spooked by a court clearing Brueckner of rape and a string of sex assaults last year – the acquittal which put him on the path to freedom. Since Brueckner’s release, the Met have significantly stepped up their activity on the case, including jetting to Portugal last year to re-interview witnesses, as revealed by The Sun. Last week we told how UK cops had taken possession of bombshell files on Brueckner from Germany. Brueckner has refused to answer police questions over the case but has insisted he is innocent in letters. His lawyers continue to protest his innocence on all matters. He was released from prison on September 17 when his seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of a woman, 72, in Praia expired, with German cops insisting their Maddie investigation would continue. Comment now