Madeleine McCann's parents win €500k in damages against former police chief.

[jassi]

Yeah, all this fuss about Amaral - he was just the first in a whole list of failed detectives, but because he publicly challenged the MCcanns, he had to be made public enemy No. 1

[Jean-Pierre]

Yeah, all this fuss about Amaral - he was just the first in a whole list of failed detectives, but because he publicly challenged the MCcanns, he had to be made public enemy No. 1

He did also write a sensationalist book about the case, to "protect his honour" and make a substantial amount of money at the expense of a missing little girl.  That may have something to do with it.   

[OxfordBloo]

Yeah, all this fuss about Amaral - he was just the first in a whole list of failed detectives, but because he publicly challenged the MCcanns, he had to be made public enemy No. 1

Amaral was not the main problem. The main problem was a system undergoing change from a State centred oppressive policing structure towards a modern liberal structure aimed at justice rather than control.

Amaral went one step further though by becoming politically involved with the case after his retirement and abusing his formal position to unlawfully enrich himself.

The police investigation after he left continued to make similar errors to his time of control. It was not until the AG formally reviewed the whole case that it was decided that the police investigation had failed to collect the minimum level of evidence necessary to bring it to trial, and hence the McCanns were returned to their pre-Arguido status of 'innocent until proven guilty.'

[Brietta]

Yeah, all this fuss about Amaral - he was just the first in a whole list of failed detectives, but because he publicly challenged the MCcanns, he had to be made public enemy No. 1

Not to mention misconduct in public office and denial of the right to presumption of innocence ... don't know if the Judge considers him public enemy number I ... but she was at pains to point out those shortcomings in her judgement.

[jassi]

Not to mention misconduct in public office and denial of the right to presumption of innocence ... don't know if the Judge considers him public enemy number I ... but she was at pains to point out those shortcomings in her judgement.

None of which is relevant to Madeleine's disappearance.

[Miss Taken Identity]

He did also write a sensationalist book about the case, to "protect his honour" and make a substantial amount of money at the expense of a missing little girl.  That may have something to do with it.

JP, with respect, many people including: the parents, lawyers, TV and Media ALL made sensational claims and MADE A LOT OF MONEY. I don't think you can single out one person however uneasy it may sit with you.

I have never defended the reasons for why he wrote the book, that isn't really an issue. He doesn't need to justify his reasons to anyone.

He was found to be using material which was collated during his service in the Police. That is all.

[Brietta]

None of which is relevant to Madeleine's disappearance.

It is all relevant to the theme of this thread which concerns the pay out of the money made from a book on Madeleine McCann's disappearance into Madeleine's Fund.

[G-Unit]

It is all relevant to the theme of this thread which concerns the pay out of the money made from a book on Madeleine McCann's disappearance into Madeleine's Fund.

Which is going to happen in.........another 8 years if he appeals?

[faithlilly]

Not to mention misconduct in public office and denial of the right to presumption of innocence ... don't know if the Judge considers him public enemy number I ... but she was at pains to point out those shortcomings in her judgement.

Those were matters of judicial fact. She made no illusions to his character contrarily to what is being insinuated.

[OxfordBloo]

JP, with respect, many people including: the parents, lawyers, TV and Media ALL made sensational claims and MADE A LOT OF MONEY. I don't think you can single out one person however uneasy it may sit with you.

I have never defended the reasons for why he wrote the book, that isn't really an issue. He doesn't need to justify his reasons to anyone.

He was found to be using material which was collated during his service in the Police. That is all.

But that has been found to be unlawful behaviour by the court and he has been ordered to pay damages because of the harm caused by his unlawful behaviour.

[Brietta]

Which is going to happen in.........another 8 years if he appeals?

I believe that may be his intention.  But I don't think you quite appreciate the irrelevance of the appeal in the face of the award made against him in a Portuguese Court.

Now that all that is out of the way for the time being, appeals et al are only a side show in the real business of finding out what happened to Madeleine McCann, there is evidence out there and if they don't already have it the PJ and SY are doing their level best to find it.

[jassi]

The whole trial has only ever been a sideshow and has had no bearing on the current investigations.

[OxfordBloo]

Which is going to happen in.........another 8 years if he appeals?

I don't think that matters. The McCanns have again had a court find against their tormentors and have ensured that Amaral cannot further abuse them using privileged material and he is now banned from asserting that they are guilty of any expense. His finances are such that he has little extra freedom of movement and his current second book on the case has not sold and may also be unlawful.

In very much the same way as in the Tony Bennett case he has been put under severe constraints over his future behaviour.

The money may eventually flow to the Madeleine fund, but that was not the primary aim of the action. In the meantime Amaral is denied both the proceeds of the book and has had his own personal wealth sequestered.

[G-Unit]

I believe that may be his intention.  But I don't think you quite appreciate the irrelevance of the appeal in the face of the award made against him in a Portuguese Court.

Now that all that is out of the way for the time being, appeals et al are only a side show in the real business of finding out what happened to Madeleine McCann, there is evidence out there and if they don't already have it the PJ and SY are doing their level best to find it.

You mentioned the money being paid into the fund, not me. I just pointed out that it may take a while.

[OxfordBloo]

The whole trial has only ever been a sideshow and has had no bearing on the current investigations.

It certainly was not treated as such before the verdict. Most anti-McCanns saw it as the great white hope that would provide them with their first legal breakthrough in eight years to support their position and to glorify their hero.

Instead it has bolstered the McCanns' profile and sense of innocence and exposed Amaral as someone who abused his Position in an attempt to enrich himself.