Madeleine McCann suspect, Christian B, denied parole over expected 'relapse'
A German court says it has not found "any stabilising factors that would keep Christian B聽from committing crimes again".
Thursday 19 November 2020 17:28, UK
The suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has been denied parole - partly because he is considered likely to "relapse".
A court in northern Germany said Christian B, as he is known under German privacy laws, has a long criminal record and has violated parole regulations in the past, including those relating to narcotics.
He is currently serving a sentence in Kiel for drug dealing.
The court in Braunschweig said it did not want to be responsible for releasing the convicted paedophile because public safety could be endangered.
"We expect a relapse with heavy crimes from him," it said.
"We haven't found any stabilising factors that would keep Christian B from committing crimes again."
The German drifter is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who was almost four when she vanished from a holiday apartment in a Portuguese holiday resort in 2007.
The 43-year-old had been living nearby and was identified three years ago by German police, who are trying to build enough evidence to charge him.
Braunschweig prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters has said he believes Christian B was responsible for Madeleine's disappearance and that he has evidence she is dead.
He continues to appeal for information about the suspect's movements and Madeleine's disappearance.
Earlier this week, Christian B was injured while being taken to the court hearing.
He sustained rib injuries while officers were putting ankle cuffs on him on Monday, the court said.
He suffered two broken ribs and needed hospital treatment, according to the national newspaper Bild.
The way in which he was shackled and the "following course of events" are being investigated, the court added.