The overall objective was to punish Amaral. OK, they asked for a million and only got 500k - maybe they aimed high, but realistically expected less, who knows, except we do know that for them it wasn't about the money and all about making Amaral pay, and about getting him to shut up and his book and video pulled. There is no other way to put it - this was an unmitigated disaster for Amaral, and the sweetest victory for the McCanns. I don't see Amaral crowing about "score draws" and the award being only half that which was asked for, I see a man on the brink of utter ruin, reliant on handouts and charity from a bunch of misguided, gullible fools who are egging him on to potentially even greater humiliation and loss. That's not a position I'd be happy to find myself in.
According to the writ the key objectives were.
Damages for G & K
Damages for Madeleine
Damages for Amelie
Damages for Sean
Have the court confirm the book damaged the search for Madeleine.
By implication punish Amaral, the publishers and the TV company.
In the event the judge only awarded damages (less than half the total sum claimed) to G & K to be paid by Amaral subject to being upheld on appeal. Whether it is unprecedented in Portugal is largely irrelevant as it would appear to based on his income from the book.
Watch this space.
If the appeal court upholds the judgment then it's time to reach for the Bolly. Before then would be a little previous as we used to say.
Whether or not Amaral is having ring twitter is irrelevant.
I would not be happy in his position either but whatever country you live in the general advice of "never get your self in the hands of the courts" is sound.