Patricia C, Jeremy W et Jeronimo S
Les auditions des sept membres du groupe des neuf ne font pas partie du DVD publié par le Ministère public. Force est d'en conclure que leur publication était embarrassante à un titre ou à un autre. On sait que les autorités britanniques ont fait intervenir un cabinet d'avocats portugais afin que certains documents soient supprimés, mais aucune mention de demande de non-publication des interviews rogatoires ne figure dans les PJFiles.
PATRICIA CAMERON - 15th April 2008
I am Gerry McCanns oldest
sister, he is the youngest of five children. I'm married to Sandy
Cameron and we have an adult son.
Gerry is married to Kate
Healy and they became a couple after a trip to New Zealand in 1997
and married in 1998. They have three children, Madeleine, to whom
Sandy and I are godparents, and the twins Sean and Amelie. Kate was
an obstetrician first before becoming an anaesthetist, Gerry
accompanied Kate to New Zealand and they began their relationship
there.
Initially Kate and Gerry
lived in Glasgow, before Gerry was transferred to Leicester. We used
to see each other regularly when they lived close here in Glasgow and
I can confirm that we continued to see them more or less every two
months after they moved. We are a very united family and where are
always there for each other when necessary. Kate and Gerry went to
live in Amsterdam with Madeleine before the birth of the twins.
Madeleine adapted well, she went to a creche once a week as well as
to swimming lessons. Kate was quite unwell during her pregnancy with
the twins and many members of her family would take turns to go and
help Kate and Madeleine.
I would often visit them
with my mother, after my father died, and we would normally stay for
a week, coinciding with visits to my son at university, Madeleine
liked to come with us.
I remember hearing about
Madeleines disappearance by phone on the night of 3rd May 2007. I
usually go to bed late but I was particularly tired that night and
went to bed early. I was woken by the phone ringing at about 23.30.
It was Gerry telling me that Madeleine had been taken. He was very
upset on the phone, it was the worst phone call I have had in my
life. remember asking him for contacts of people in Portugal so that
we could call them. Gerry was in no state to say much. I tried to
remain calm for him, I suggested that he contact the British Embassy
and I remember him telling me that he had spoken to the local police
but they were not taking the situation seriously. I remember Gerry
saying that they did not treat the matter with urgency and only
stated that Madeleine must have left on her own and that she would be
back later. It was so frustrating, Madeleine did not do things like
that, she was not that kind of girl.
Gerry is normally very
calm and serene, he has a logical perception of things, but he was
hysterical ? he was shouting. He mentioned the possibility that that
she could have been taken by a paedophile, I tried to calm him but
there was nothing I could say to help him. I had never seen him so
out of control. The pain and the anguish ? it was the worst scenario
imaginable, the waiting was unbearable.
In total frustration, I
contacted our local police to ask for help and advice but
unfortunately they were not able to help us.
Sandy began to search for
phone contacts on the computer and there were phone calls back and
forth to Portugal and to the Embassy in Lisbon. I think Kate had
called her aunt and uncle. I was left with the task of informing our
family here. As my mother is quite vulnerable and fragile I decided
to give her the news personally. That was one of the worst things I
have ever had to do. We sat in her apartment feeling incredulous,
wondering what to do next. I feel the necessity of contacting the
media and called the BBC, gave an interview to a reporter and
afterwards there were more reporters and more interviews. Sandy
stayed at home to coordinate things. We tried desperately to get
plane tickets. It was not possible to get a flight from Glasgow, the
only solution was to fly from Manchester. We went to Manchester and
stayed at a friends house before catching the first flight of the
morning, on Saturday 5th May 2007.
We arrived in Portugal on
Saturday morning, where a friend lent us a car to use and we went to
Praia da Luz. My first impression was that everything was busy, but
there was also a surreal sensation of passivity. Kates mother and
father were already there.
We stayed for 3 months,
initially returning home for a few days in the middle of June in
order to deal with financial affairs and work related subjects. We
were there to offer our help and support, Sandy and I stayed in an
apartment that also served as an office. Sandy dealt with the
correspondence and I helped in the kitchen and with cleaning. In the
afternoons we would go out with the children, I didnt think it was a
good idea for them to be in the creche for the whole day, we tried to
maintain a routine in order to give them a sense of normality. Every
day was the same as the previous one ? the same questions about
whether there was any news, what developments had there been in the
case, but we were there to provide support when necessary.
I remember that they had
weekly meetings with a series of persons, the Portuguese treated Kate
and Gerry cruelly. One minute they would help them and the next
moment they turned on them, making them arguidos.
When we left in the
middle of June we felt dreadful because we did not want to leave
them, both Gerry and Sandy cried at the airport and I tried very hard
to remain strong. Our only comfort was knowing that there were others
travelling out to take our place and support Gerry and Kate. When we
went back for the second time at the end of June to attend our sons
graduation, it was even more difficult. I wanted them to come back so
that they could get away from all the negativity and so that they
could achieve some degree of normality and could feel the love and
support of their family and friends, but they refused, wanting to
stay where Madeleine had been seen for the last time in order to feel
her closeness, it was heartbreaking.
Sandy found them a house
outside of the Ocean Club to try to give them the stability that they
needed.
Madeleine was a normal
girl, she loved being Sean and Amelies older sister. Being the first
daughter and due to the difficulties in conceiving her, she was very
pampered by her parents. Madeleine is happy, very sure of herself,
friendly, open and serene. Madeleine is much loved and desired by the
whole family.
Madeleine began to play
tennis, she had lessons in Syston. She was also learning to swim ? in
fact she is a very good swimmer. Before she disappeared she was keen
to start school. She a very intelligent little girl who loved to read
books, who loved participating in activities with the family and who
was learning to play cards.
Madeleine would never
have gone off with anyone, she was not the kind of girl to disappear.
Madeleine generally slept
well at night, although before the birth of the twins she used to get
up and go to Kate and Gerrys bed. This situation led to a bonus point
system being established if she stayed in her bed all night, although
sometimes the twins would go to their parents? bedroom. The children
would generally go to their parents bed because they were thirsty or
wanted one of the parents, normally Kate. The children have a good
routine, to which they have been accustomed since birth. The twins go
to the creche two mornings per week and Madeleine would go to reading
lessons as preparation for school.
This whole situation has
been like living a nightmare, a horror film, it is difficult to live
in this situation. It is difficult for me to believe it, one does not
expect that our children would be taken or that someone robs a child
from us.
The nightmare continues
because Madeleine is still Messing and because of the fact that the
arguidos status has not been lifted yet. The interest by the media is
a difficult factor to bear, Kate and Gerry continue their campaign in
the UK for the introduction of an alert system. They recently went to
the States which meant that I came to stay with the twins. Normal
life does not continue for them nor for any of us. I find it
appalling that I was not heard nine months ago. None of us remember
having been asked questions at that time. I know with all my heart
that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent. For the, all of this
situation is a torture. We request that their arguido status be
removed so that the authorities can concentrate on their
responsibilities in the disappearance of Madeleine.
The following statement
was elaborated as a response to questions raised by me on behalf of
Kate and Gerry.
As Gerrys oldest sister,
I have spent much time with them and their children, and as I said
earlier in this statement, the children have a good routine and there
was no change in routine with respect to their bed time. The children
go to bed at about 19.00 after dinner, playing, bathing, washing
their faces and brushing their teeth.
Normally they listen to
two or three stories before going to sleep.
The children are very
active during the day, they get up very early at around six/seven in
the morning and generally go to Kate and Gerry?s bed. Even at the
weekend the children do not stay in bed for longer and do not sleep
during the day. Madeleine, in particular, totally rejected the idea
of sleeping during the day.
As far as I know the
children did not wake up frequently at night, there could have been
occasions when they went to see Kate and Gerry. It depends upon the
time the children were with them or were sent back to their rooms.
With regard to
medication, I only remember them being given 'Carpol' (sic)
(paracetamol) to lower their temperature and certainly never to make
them sleep ? never.
With regard to
punishment, Kate and Gerry used the ?naughty corner? which gives the
child the opportunity to think about his/her actions before saying
sorry. I never saw any form of physical punishment by Kate or Gerry.
Kate always managed well
with the 3 children, it is an exhausting work to have children, but
Kate always kept them occupied with activities or invited other
children to come and play.
Madeleine has never told
me that she was unhappy. She was alert, happy, a normal child and
much loved by many.
Gerry is a competitive
man, when he was young he had to chose between athletics and
football. He was organised, motivated and this has continued
throughout his medical career. Gerry is ambitious but with his feet
set on the ground, he will never forget his roots or where he came
from.
Kate is stronger than
Gerry in certain situations. Kate and Gerry have an equal for equal
relationship and she does not hesitate to say what she is thinking. I
suppose that Kate and Gerry form a very solid couple.
JEREMY WILKINS - 8 April 2008
I am the above referenced
person and live at the address previously given to this police. I
gave an earlier statement to the Metropolitan Police relative to my
holidays in Portugal in May of 2007. I stayed at the Praia da Luz
resort from where Madeleine McCann disappeared. We arrived on
Saturday, April 28, 2007.
Yesterday, I received a
visit from Leicestershire police officers with the intent of
clarifying some aspects and to obtain any possible additional
information. The conversation was recorded as was the interview which
was conducted by the same agents. I was told that these questions
originated from the rogatory letter sent by the Portuguese
authorities. I am aware that my deposition is subject to the
Portuguese Criminal Code in addition to British law.
I was asked to read my
original statement to refresh my memory for which I was given
authorization.
What follows are answers
to the questions posed to me in the following order:
Q. Relative to the time I
met Gerry McCann on the Thursday night of May 3, 2007;
As stated in my original
deposition, I believe that I left the apartment around 20h30. I
calculate that I met Gerry on the road between 20h45 and 21h15. I am
aware of the importance of this hour and am also aware that the media
announced our meeting time as 21h05. Even if this were correct, I
have no idea from where such information originated. It is not
possible to give you a more exact time.
Q. From which direction
Gerry travelling when you met'
From previous
conversations had with Gerry, I am of the notion of the usual routine
of the group in relation to checking on their children when they were
in the Tapas Bar. I also was aware of the location of the McCann
apartment. Naturally when I met him that night, I assumed that he had
gone to check on the children. I cannot affirm if I saw him exactly
leaving the apartment through the passageway, and if he was heading
towards the tapas Bar.
Q. Relative to the exact
location you met Gerry'
I left my apartment
pushing my son's pram so that he could sleep. I did not have a
particular direction to follow nor did I have a specific time to do
this. I left the apartment and turned right. I walked via the lower
street, looked to the building block where the McCann apartment was
situated and saw a woman dressed in purple clothing. I referred to
this woman in relation to the questions asked by Jane Tanner. At the
next crossing, I turned right and continued on down the hill. At this
point, I saw a man that was coming from the road and was headed to
the reception. I believe that he was with a woman but I cannot be
precise of any detail about her. It was a tall Caucasian man, with
blonde hair in 'rasta style' tied with a band instead of free
flowing. When I arrived, I headed to the WC near the pool area. He
also was in the WC but appeared to be a taking a long time. I do not
remember if he was still in that place when I left. I did not see a
woman in that zone. I had never before seen this man and did not see
him after this. The next morning, after having become aware of
Madeleine's disappearance, we went to breakfast and left the children
in the club. Bridget and I returned to the apartment and minutes
afterward, a uniformed police officer, accompanied by a British man
serving as interpreter, showed up. Later we came to know him as
Robert Murat. I do not remember if he gave me his details but
recently when I was cleaning a bag, I came across a card with his
name and telephone number. I believe that he may have given this to
me so that we could contact him in case we had any additional
information to offer. The police officer asked us if we had noticed
anything out of the normal and Robert Murat translated. I spoke to
him of the 'rasta man' and the police officer took some notes on
paper. He also noted our names and passport numbers. During the days
that followed, as we passed through the police cordon, we noticed
Robert Murat on numerous occasions. On Friday, the 4th of May or
Saturday, 5th of May 2007, at one of the police cordons, I again saw
Robert Murat. He told me that they had investigated the lead of the
'rasta man' but that he was a local man and that everything was okay.
He thanked me for my collaboration. I never saw Robert prior to his
visit to our apartment with the police officer.
After leaving the WC, I
continued to walk around the back of the tennis court, and returned
via the pathway opposite the pool in the Tapas complex. Whilst
walking the streets, I was hoping my son would fall asleep. Some of
the walkways did not have an exit and for this reason I walked
practically in circles. When walking one of these paths, I came
across a tourist called Curtis with his girlfriend whose name I do
not know. He also knew Gerry from the tennis lessons. I remember
passing by them but I assumed they were headed to dinner. Eventually,
I left one road to the other side of the street to the pool complex,
between the McCann apartment and the Tapas Bar. In order to visualise
this street, I believe it was the street most used by the news
agencies and journalists as all the parked cars indicated during the
coverage period.
When I left the street, I
remember seeing Gerry on the other side of the same. I believe that
there was some speculation in the press regarding the circumstances
of this encounter. I remember that I crossed the street to talk to
Gerry. According to what I remember, Gerry was walking when I spotted
him. As I mentioned previously, I assumed that he had gone to check
on the children and was headed back to the Tapas Bar.
From what I remember, the
conversation happened right there on the pathway but I am not certain
who was located exactly where.
Q. Relative to the time
we conversed;
I am more certain of this
than I am of our relative positions.
The conversation lasted
for approximately three to five minutes. We spoke of the care of
children and how they were getting along. He told me something like
'he was on night duty'. I explained to him that I was returning to
the apartment as my son was now sleeping. I assumed that Gerry was
off to dine with the group in the Tapas bar, but I cannot precisely
say this came from him or if I figured this out from our previous
conversations regarding the checking system for the children. I
remember that Gerry told me if he had stayed another week, he would
likely do as I was doing and would stay with the children one night.
It appeared as though he was jealous of what I was doing, but given
that he was with a big group, he felt the obligation to meet with
them every night, and the chosen location was the Tapas bar. I
believe that there was some sort of agreement with the tapas Bar as
they appeared to have a reservation every night and it was impossible
for other guests to book at spot there.
I do not know if we were
face to face or side to side when this conversation occurred. As I
had the pram with me I was rocking it so my son could sleep, it seems
to me that I was in the downward direction, but it is possible that I
was in the opposite direction.
I do not remember having
seen anyone else at this time besides Gerry. After leaving each
other, Gerry walked downward in the direction of the Tapas Bar and I
began to walk in the other direction, up the pathway. I turned left
at the crossing and passed the apartment. I did not meet anyone else
during my walk and once in my apartment, I did not venture out again.
Q. Relative to whether I
know Jane Tanner;
Now I know her name,
description of the clothes and photos which I have seen in the press.
At that time I knew of her as a member of the group but did not know
her name. I do not remember having seen her when I spoke with Gerry,
but I believe I saw her when I first ventured out. She was stopped on
the street in front of one of the group's apartments when I passed
her down towards the exit to my apartment. I do not know if it was
her apartment or not. I remember that she was wearing the colour
purple.
Q. Relative to the
passerby/transient:
I can affirm that it was
a quiet street and it was very unlikely that someone could have
passed by be in this way but this as an assumption and I do not
remember anything having happened.
Q. Relative to anything
strange in Gerry's behaviour;
I can affirm without any
reservation that Gerry's behaviour was absolutely normal. He was not
preoccupied and conversed and appeared relaxed. He behaved if the
same form as with the other times we met.
Q. Relative to the
visibility and lighting conditions;
I believe that the time I
left it was dusk (the term lusco-fusco used in this statement is a
Portuguese expression to define those brief moments when day and
night intermingle in an undefined state, dusk, when day isn't still
night) or nighttime when I returned and I do not remember if it was
already dark when I spoke with Gerry. There were no weather
conditions that impacted visibility. Given the lighting and the
atmospheric conditions, I believe that it would have been possible to
see if an individual was near but evidently, the greater the
distance, the harder the difficulty in seeing. I would say that when
I spoke with Gerry it was possible to recognize someone I knew who
was passing on foot at the crossing at the top of the hill or to
describe approximately someone unknown from that distance.
Q. relative to the return
to Portugal to realize a reconstitution;
I spoke with the police
for a long time regarding this topic. I had some reservation about
the press' intrusion onto my personal life and the hurt that
resulted. I actually think that I would prefer not to take part. I
have helped the investigation and am particularly interested in the
investigative team gave me a solid base with would justify the
reconstitution.
I was also asked question
raised by the arguidos, to which I responded as follows.
Relative to my
familiarity with Gerry and Kate;
I got to know them on
Monday, 30th of April 2007 when I arrived at the tennis lesson. I had
booked lessons and believed that Gerry had done the same. I believe
that Kate was with Gerry before the first lesson but did not play.
Relative to the
encounters between the 29th of April and the 3rd of May;
I played against Gerry in
the tennis lessons and we played a game outside the lessons together
with two friends who made up part of his group. Kate was in the
immediate area of the resort but the reason for our meetings was
normally tennis. We got along well together.
Relative to seeing them
with Madeleine and the other children;
I do not have grand
memories of Madeleine but did see her on some occasions with her
parents in the creche. My last memory of the twins, specifically, was
in the company of adults (I think they were friends that travelled
here) in the pool zone and also on the day that we left, Saturday 5th
of May, 2007.
I never saw any member of
the family inside or possessing a vehicle.
Relative to the encounter
with Gerry and Kate on the 3rd of May 2007;
I had a tennis lesson
with Gerry from 10h00 to 11h00. After the lesson we went to fetch the
children from the creche. I saw Gerry and Kate near the pool
relaxing. I remember that they were talking to a British tennis
instructor whose name is George or Georgina. I remember that she was
telling them a bit about her personal life. Later that day, I went
once again to collect the children from the creche and believe I saw
them there, but I cannot affirm with exactitude if it was that day or
if had been on a previous day. We did not see each other again on
this day.
Relative to when I became
aware of Madeleine's disappearance;
After having gone to
sleep on the 3rd of May, we were woken around 01H30 by the manager of
the resort, John Hill and by a friend of Gerry's. It was them who
told me what had happened. I did not see or hear anything else than
what has been stated in this statement. I did not take part in any
searches. I offered my help but it was not necessary. I did not see
Gerry and Kate again until the afternoon of our departure. They were
in the tourist complex. This was on Saturday, 5th of May 2007. If was
a very emotional encounter and I did not know what to say to them. I
went over to Gerry and gave him a pat on the shoulder and spoke
briefly with Kate. Together they appeared constrained and I became
emotional as well.
Relative to the meeting
with Gerry McCann;
I have already testified
to the time of our encounter in this statement and have also spoken
to the location where we met, when I saw him for the first time, what
I observed regarding the details of our conversation. The same
applies to Jane Tanner.
Relative to the sighting
in Dr. Francisco Gentil street;
From the location where
we met for our conversation, it is possible to see the top of the
hill. I cannot confirm if I was always turned in this direction. It
is definitely possible that someone could have crossed holding a
child without my noticing.
I do not remember any
other information or relevant details which could help this
investigation.
JERONIMO RODRIGUES SALCEDAS - 23 April
2008
I am the above referenced
person who lives at the address previously given to this police. I am
a Portuguese national and I am fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. I
have lived in the U.K. with my parents since 10 year of age. Since
leaving school, I have been employed in various roles but have never
identified myself with any of them.
I still have various
family in Portugal and in the beginning of 2007, I was in the U.K.
and unemployed. I was contacted via email by my cousin Miguel COLLEO
(I am not certain how his name is pronounced) and he informed me that
he was working in the Algarve in Portugal as a barman/waiter in the
Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal. I always liked the idea
of working abroad and asked him if he could find me work. He
responded and told me that he had found a position for me in this
same area in which he worked.
I travelled from Bristol
to Faro, Portugal, on the 26th of March of 2007. From Faro I
travelled directly to Praia da Luz and lodged in an apartment rented
with Miguel. Initially, his girlfriend also lived with us but before
the end of April 2007, she returned to South Africa. The apartment
was located close to the beach but I do not remember the address.
I began working as a
functionary at the Ocean Club on the 4th of April 2007 and my charge
was to serve the bar and the Tapas Bar tables. My hours were 16h00 to
24H00, five days per week and the two days off were rotated weekly.
The other employees of the Tapas Bar on my schedule were Ricardo, Ze
and Tiago?all of them Portuguese and with little knowledge of the
English language. As a result of this, I was frequently called to
attend British clients.
I remember being at work
in the Tapas the night of the disappearance. I also remember the
group of adults that holidayed with Madeleine, including the parents
as they were frequent Tapas Bar dinner guests.
I would normally see them
during the day if I went to the complex for a swim, or when they were
going to get their children for lunch in the zone next to the Tapas.
Nothing in their behaviour called my attention. They dined in the
restaurant every night from Sunday until Thursday when Madeleine
disappeared. The table was booked then for 19H30 to 20H00. It was
nine adults in total, four couples and an older woman who was also
with them. I always found them educated, good clients. They appeared
to get along well amongst each other and each time I served the table
they would comment on the food. It was a happy group who would often
laugh during dinner. There was a man who particularly stood out from
the rest of the group as she spoke a lot and told many jokes. At this
time, I did not know who he was, but later found out it was Madeleine
McCanns father. Frequently, when I served the table I noticed that
one or two elements of the group had left the restaurant. I could not
imagine where they had gone to. After seeing the news stories, I
figured that they had gone to check on their children. On some
occasions, I also saw some infant monitors on the same table but
never related this to the facts.
In relation to alcohol
consumption, it never appeared to me to be excessive. The wine was
included in the dinner at Tapas and the functionaries were very
generous in this respect. The permission was approximately one
bottler per person . According to what I remember, and relative to
the consumption of alcohol, there were seven bottles between the nine
adults. I believe that on the first or second night they dined in the
Tapas, they drank a bit more, perhaps eight or nine bottles of wine.
I believe that they were also offered liquor this night, as they had
been such good clients. The behaviour of the table did not change the
night in questions. If anything, the group jested more than usual but
no one appeared drunk.
Generally, they left the
Tapas at 23h30/midnight, at times together and at other times in
small groups. On the night in which they drank more than usual, they
left a bit later, perhaps towards 00h30-01h00. I remember this detail
because I was supposed to finish work at 00H00 and I wanted to go
home. They always left on good terms and always wished the staff good
night.
On the night Madeleine
disappeared, everything appeared normal. I remember that when I took
notice of the disappearance, I had been in the restaurant speaking
with my two colleagues?Ze and Ricardo who were on break. I returned
to the restaurant and noticed that the table of nine was empty with
the exception of the older woman. I went over to the table and joked
with her: ?They've left you alone?? She responded more of less with
these words: ?No, they went to see if the little girl was there.? I
responded that I hoped they would find her somewhere in the
apartment. At saying this, I saw the man. Who I knew later to be
Madeleines father, running to the pool and to the childrens play area
in the Tapas zone as if looking for someone. It immediately hit me
that after talking to the older woman, that the little girl had not
been found. I offered to alert the workers at the Milenium Restaurant
and the man agreed. He then left again running to continue searching.
I believe that this was between 21H30 and 22H00 but do not remember
with certainty.
I went to find Ze and
Ricardo to give them the news and to get their help in searching for
the missing girl. I saw the head of the Milenium Restaurant in the
Tapas and asked him to telephone the restaurant.
I ran out of the Tapas
and noticed that some of the childcare works of the Mark Warner had
begun to arrive. At the point I left the Tapas I heard a scream from
a woman I did not know. I do not know who screamed, but I had never
heard a similar cry. I cannot even describe it but thought it had
come from the child's mother. I went to the reception with one of the
child care workers whose name I do not remember. One of the employees
looked to be organizing the searches and told us the name of the
child. We were sent to the beach zone and looked in all the alleys
and called out the name of the child but did not find her. Later, we
returned to the Tapas where we found John, the Manager of Mark
Warner. There were many people now, perhaps 40 including the Mark
Warner personnel. We were divided into groups and Ewan and Rob (both
employed by Mark Warner), my cousin, Miguel, and I went in a Mark
Warner vehicle to search a beach zone which included a construction
site. Again, we did not see any signs of the child and after a
telephone we returned to the Tapas.
At this point more people
were at the location, including residents of Praia da Luz. A man
named Matt who owned a club in the locale, seemed to now be the
operational front. A big part of our group was sent to the beach; we
formed a sort of human extension cord in our searches. We finally
returned to the Tapas around 04H00. We were sent home at the time.
I do not know when the
police were called but the first time I saw them was around
23h00-23h00 that night.
Since Madeleines
disappearance, I have seen her picture many times in the media, but I
cannot honestly affirm that I remember seeing her in person before
the disappearance from the Ocean Club. There were many children and I
never paid much attention to any of them.
I stayed in Praia da Luz
working in the Tapas until the end of July 2007, at which time I
returned to the U.K.
This statement was made
by me and is true in accordance with my understanding.
