So how did the abductor enter and leave the apartment?

[Albertini]

The point of going back to make a quick check was to make sure they hadn't woken up. So why would they have chosen the noisiest (and the most complicated, if indeed possible) option when doing so?

It makes no sense to me whatsoever. I don't recall anyone of the other statements saying that the patio shutters were down.

Unless of course it was Gerry's first statement which was correct, that he entered via the door using his key, seeing as (according to Rachael) the shutter was down on the patio door, meaning he couldn't enter through the patio from the outside.

Then it makes sense, doesn't it? 

[Albertini]

I think there's a bit of lost in confusion in that statement.

The confusion may be with the curtains being drawn.

So if it is confusion relating to curtains why would the statment which says "raise the shutter" count as "raise the curtains" when raising the curtains is not possible?

[sadie]

Have deleted this post.  I was in error.

... but it is certainly correct that somehow the quotation appeared differently from the quote I expected.  ie.  No images, and there should have been

Was unable to preview the post because somthing wrong with the system ... quite likely my computer.

Sorry

[Albertini]

The patio Doors to 5A

Why is that the two pictures of the patio doors are different? 





Amaral / Pat Brown been 'ere again?

ETA  Sorry, but the preview failed repeatedly and the quote did not come up as expected.

.... cos my broadband strength is almost non existent atm, it just flutterrs in and out,  I cannot change anything.

Will have to try again later

In what way are the patio doors different in the two seperate pictures?

[Albertini]

And here are photos of the patio from the files. You can see the shutter at the top of the window on photo 14:

[John]

 
Thank you for posting the photos Albertini.  As a new member please introduce yourself in the new members section at the top of the home page.

Re the patio door shutters, it is certainly the case that they are normally raised and lowered from within the apartment.  Again, as with the window shutters, unless they are locked in the down position they can be lifted from the outside.  Gaining access via the patio doors when the shutters are in the down position is possible but really requires to people.  One to lift the shutter and hold it up while the second person opens the patio door and enters the apartment.

[Albertini]

Thank you for posting the photos Albertini.  As a new member please introduce yourself in the new members section at the top of the home page.

Re the patio door shutters, it is certainly the case that they are normally raised and lowered from within the apartment.  Again, as with the window shutters, unless they are locked in the down position they can be lifted from the outside.  Gaining access via the patio doors when the shutters are in the down position is possible but really requires to people.  One to lift the shutter and hold it up while the second person opens the patio door and enters the apartment.

No problem, i have also introduced myself in the members forum!

One would surmise that it would not be sensible if the shutters were down for someone to attempt to gain access that way, for the noise it would undoubtedly make in trying to lift them in full view of the Tapas restaurant.

It's very high risk and makes no sense. 

[John]

No problem, i have also introduced myself in the members forum!

One would surmise that it would not be sensible if the shutters were down for someone to attempt to gain access that way, for the noise it would undoubtedly make in trying to lift them in full view of the Tapas restaurant.

It's very high risk and makes no sense.

I absolutely agree, when the patio door shutters are deployed ie in the down position, access is extremely difficult for someone on their own for the reasons already explained.  If the shutters are down and no one available inside to raise them it is to be expected that the front door be used.

[Albertini]

I absolutely agree, when the patio door shutters are deployed ie in the down position, access is extremely difficult for someone on their own for the reasons already explained.  If the shutters are down and no one available inside to raise them it is to be expected that the front door be used.

Ok, i agree that the patio is now off limits as a point of entry. However then does then cause concern as to why Gerry should change his original statement on 4th May from entering through the door to then entering through the patio and not mentioning the shutters.

In relation to the front door then, was there any report either at the time or since that any of the keys were lost, stolen, borrowed or went missing?

[DCI]

I absolutely agree, when the patio door shutters are deployed ie in the down position, access is extremely difficult for someone on their own for the reasons already explained.  If the shutters are down and no one available inside to raise them it is to be expected that the front door be used.

There are 2 shutters on that patio door, not one, as it looks in the photo. One could have been left up, the other one left closed.

Mathew Oldfield used the patio door, on his check.

"To this end, he took the quickest route between ROB's apartment and the side garden gate entrance to the rear patio of the McCann residence, to which he gained access through the glass sliding door into the apartment lounge. The door was closed but not locked as KM had said it would be".

[John]

Having had a chance to read back through posts I find the comments in Rachel's statement relating to Matthew quite interesting.

Could it indeed be the case that Matthew didn't enter apartment 5a on the first occasion on the evening of Tuesday 3rd May because the patio shutter was down?

Similarly, was he able to enter the apartment on the second visit as the shutter was up?

If this is correct then someone lifted the shutter between his two visits.  The only person we know of who visited the apartment in the intervening period was Gerry McCann.

[John]

There are 2 shutters on that patio door, not one, as it looks in the photo. One could have been left up, the other one left closed.

Mathew Oldfield used the patio door, on his check.

"To this end, he took the quickest route between ROB's apartment and the side garden gate entrance to the rear patio of the McCann residence, to which he gained access through the glass sliding door into the apartment lounge. The door was closed but not locked as KM had said it would be".

The patio door (singular) has its own shutter, the second shutter covers the static pane of glass.

Matthew used the patio door on his second visit to apt 5a.

[DCI]

Having had a chance to read back through posts I find the comments in Rachel's statement relating to Matthew quite interesting.

Could it indeed be the case that Matthew didn't enter apartment 5a on the first occasion on the evening of Tuesday 3rd May because the patio shutter was down?

Similarly, was he able to enter the apartment on the second visit as the shutter was up?

If this is correct then someone lifted the shutter between his two visits.  The only person we know of who visited the apartment in the intervening period was Gerry McCann.

Benefiting from meeting them next to the residences, he adds that, on his own initiative, he made a 'listening check' at the bedroom window of MBM and the twins at 21h05. That he limited himself to approach the bedroom window on the outside of the apartment to check if the children were crying or awake.
He adds to have not heard any noise nor perceived anything out of the ordinary. He went on to do the same check at the bedroom windows of his daughter and ROB's daughters

[sadie]

In what way are the patio doors different in the two seperate pictures?

I beg your pardon Albertini.  My mistake. 

Apologies for taking so long to come back.  Had to wait for hubby to repair my computer.  Nothing was working properly; thought it was broadband but seems that wasn't the problem this time

He has defragged and things are improved.


Welcome to the forum Albertini.  Look forward to your take on things

[Benice]

Is there one singular piece of evidence that can be regarded as proof of abduction ?

Perhaps you should research cases of  where people have tried to cover up crimes.

Scotland Yard i.e. the experts, don't agree with you.

Maybe you would like to tell us how your theory works?

Motive, means, with whose help -  and how and when they pulled off this crime would be a good start.

Or at least give a sensible reason as to why you are so reluctant to share your theory with this forum.