Does anyone know more about this sighting? Costa-del-Sol

[Eleanor]

But is it big enough to see it from a distance?  You see a crime in action and take down the number plate numbers, but could you see what country and area within that country the plates were issued?

Yes.  But France is notoriously sensible about this.

[Robittybob1]

One thing that has passed me by. If this woman was so certain in her identification, why did she not confront this family at the time?

She is rather small.  Maybe it was a fear if she interfered they could storm off?  Around here people are advised to call the police rather that take individual action.

[jassi]

She is rather small.  Maybe it was a fear if she interfered they could storm off?  Around here people are advised to call the police rather that take individual action.

How do you know that?  Curious, not challenging what you say

[Robittybob1]

How do you know that?  Curious, not challenging what you say

I saw a photo of her and her husband.  They looked about 5 foot 2 both of them.  Karen Sisson still has a couple photos available on Google images (probably photoshopped)  http://themaddiecasefiles.com/imageproxy.php?url=http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz357/JillyCL/karen-sisson-saw-maddie-at-cabopino-site-on-costa-del-sol1.jpg

[Carana]

But is it big enough to see it from a distance?  You see a crime in action and take down the number plate numbers, but could you see what country and area within that country the plates were issued?

If you're close enough to be able to catch the number plates, you're close enough to see the country code (EU) or in the Swiss case, the flag (s).

In any case, the nationality and number plates were probably noted on the registration form.

[Robittybob1]

If you're close enough to be able to catch the number plates, you're close enough to see the country code (EU) or in the Swiss case, the flag (s).

In any case, the nationality and number plates were probably noted on the registration form.

No they can't have been. IMO for the police are thinking the number plates are obsolete German ones.

[jassi]

No they can't have been. IMO for the police are thinking the number plates are obsolete German ones.

If she wasn't close enough to see the number plate clearly was she close enough to see this child clearly?

[Carana]

No they can't have been. IMO for the police are thinking the number plates are obsolete German ones.

But this witness saw this child again the next day at the campsite (from your OP). They family was presumably staying there. Loads of time to check on a number plate.

[Alice Purjorick]

The French don't bother with this.  It's all on the number plate.

That is probably something to do with them being in the EU.

"The common EU format of having a blue section on the extreme left with EU circle of stars and the country code was introduced by Council Regulation (EC) No 2411/98 of 3 November 1998[1] and entered into force on the 11 November 1998. It was based on a model registration plate which several member states had introduced: Ireland (1991),[2] Portugal (1992)[3] and Germany (1994).[4] Luxembourg plates had displayed the European Flag on the left part since 1988."

[Robittybob1]

But this witness saw this child again the next day at the campsite (from your OP). They family was presumably staying there. Loads of time to check on a number plate.

It may have been hard for them to do secretly.  I don't know and I can't ask her ATM as I'm blocked.

[Carana]

It may have been hard for them to do secretly.  I don't know and I can't ask her ATM as I'm blocked.

What would have been secret if they were staying at the campsite or even day-visiting?

[Robittybob1]

What would have been secret if they were staying at the campsite or even day-visiting?

Some people are bold and others aren't.

[jassi]

The more you talk this through, the less credible she begins to sound to me.

[Alice Purjorick]

I saw a photo of her and her husband.  They looked about 5 foot 2 both of them.  Karen Sisson still has a couple photos available on Google images (probably photoshopped)  http://themaddiecasefiles.com/imageproxy.php?url=http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz357/JillyCL/karen-sisson-saw-maddie-at-cabopino-site-on-costa-del-sol1.jpg

Always given it is possible to accurately assess scale in a photo or video. Other than a military effort taken specifically for the purpose.
I commend the techniques used in two "notorious" movies:
"Shane" in which Alan Ladd at 1.68m was shown to be taller than Jack Palance at 1.93m+
"Big Jim McClain" in which John Wayne at 1.93 (in his 100mm lifts) was made to look taller than James Arness at 2.01m.


eta.
The acid test with any scaling attempt on a photo is: "Will that finger go up that nostril".

[Robittybob1]

The more you talk this through, the less credible she begins to sound to me.

It is possibly one of the most incredible events really.  She reported the sighting 6th May 2007.  Years  later she reported the sighting to the UK police who did a follow-up (2012?).  She has moved to PdL to live and possible now owns apartment 5A the apartment from where Madeleine went missing.

That is rather an amazing degree of involvement, if I haven't crossed my wires.  I must admit I'm still confused as to who tracked down Karsten Mayer to Berne.