"had a previous criminal record for theft"
Source?
Does HJ have a page number in the files to back this up?
I dont see anything to indicate this person whom HJ highlights has a previous criminal record for theft.
As far as I can see his only crimes are living and working in PDL and trying to help and being portuguese (addresses of most portuguese staff were recorded, address of many UK staff was not).
On his blog HJ states:
I have found, in June 2013, in the first volumes of the Polícia Judiciária Files, that a man is referenced who: (a) was living near the 5A apartment, (b) was living near the location where the Smith family saw the suspect, (c) had a previous record for theft, (d) was an Ocean Club employee, (e) was not working between 09:00 pm and 11:00 pm on May 3rd. 2007, (f) might know well the Ocean Club apartments, (g) was in the zone at 11:00 pm on May 3rd. 2007, and (h) was in the zone at the time Madeleine was abducted (confirmed by his mobile phone records). The block 5 (where the 5A apartment is) had a theft on 5L on April 17th. 2007, and an intent of theft on G5 (5G) on approximately April 26th. 2007. That is, 17 and 7 days before the abduction of Madeleine. Was this man already investigated and ruled out? (he was not Euclides, the man who died in a tractor accident).
Why would you call this person 'poor man'_ For me he is an ex criminal who in this case needs to be investigated.
Of course HJ would not publicly name this person.. would you?
If you are interested, I suggest you follow the HJ's steps and READ THE FILES! Have you read them? Or you only read the internet myths?
I have read the files, btw!