Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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CARTAS ROGATORIAS UK (FILE 4)
3 to 6—Witness statement of Emma Louise Knight 2008.04.30
Translation:
Leicestershire Police Force
Statement from: Emma Louise KNIGHT
Occupation: Hotel Manager
Date: 30th April 2008
I am currently an employee of the Mark Warner Holiday Company, 20 Kensington Church Street, London. I have worked for this company since November 2005 and have held various positions in complexes and hotels abroad.
In March 2007 I travelled to the Mark Warner complex in Praia da Luz, Portugal. My position was Client Support Manager and my function was to receive and welcome the new guests and be available to resolve any problem that might arise during their stay.
The Praia da Luz complex covers a large area and for this reason there were several locations where I worked during the day, such as the reception, the Tapas bar area and the Millenium Restaurant.
My first contact with the couple named Gerry and Kate McCann took place in the 24 hour reception when they arrived at the resort accompanied by their 3 children. They were on holiday with a number of other families, some of them arrived by different means.
During the first part of their holiday there were no problems that were brought to my knowledge relating to their stay. I knew about their three children but I never had contact with them.
On the night of 3rd May, after having finished work, I planned to meet a group of colleagues at 22.30 to go out. At about 22.17 I received a call from Lyndsey Johnson, the Crèche Manager, informing me that the girl had gone missing. I met Lyndsey and the Service Manager, Amy Tierney, near to the Tapas Bar and we initiated the “Mark Warner procedures for the search of a missing child”.
This procedure involved the distribution of leaflets that had already been prepared, with the names of the locations, for the members of staff, indicating the zones that they should search. Once the location indicated had been searched, the leaflet was returned and another one with a different location was handed over. This procedure was followed by the members of staff, but on that night about 6 residents from the complex were also involved in the search.
I was told who the missing girl was and at the beginning of the procedure went to the McCann’s apartment to obtain the girl’s description and of the clothes she was wearing when she disappeared. When I arrived at the apartment, there was a lady on the terrace, whom I now know to be Kate McCann, accompanied by the wife of one of her friends, David Payne. Kate could not say a word, looked very upset and about to cry. It was Mrs Payne who provided me with the details that I needed.
I returned to the location where the leaflets were being distributed and passed on the information that I had gathered about the missing girl. Lyndsey was busy with the distribution of the leaflets and I went to search in the beach area. On my return I passed by the Duke Pub where I met other members of staff who also joined in the searches.
The hotel manager, John Hill arrived at the location from which the searches were being organised and I can confirm that he called the police. John stayed at the location and I several times went to search the grounds. I went with Amy and we searched the highest part of the complex behind the apartments. The search lasted for about 10 minutes and then we returned. At that moment John asked me to go to the apartment the girl had disappeared from and, on behalf of Mark Warner, provide all the help the family might need.
I went to the McCann’s apartment, entered by the patio doors and introduced myself to Kate and Mrs Payne. I entered the apartment living room and Kate and Mrs Payne stayed in the main bedroom, from where I could hear them both crying.
The twins were still asleep in the children’s bedroom and the door was half open.
A short while later, Gerry returned to the apartment accompanied by Russell. They also entered by the patio doors.
I don not remember the exact sequence of events at this time, but I do remember that I phoned John, who informed me that the police were on their way.
I remember that the police arrived between 00.00 and 00.30, entered by the main door and went to the kitchen with Gerry.
I went to the bedroom where Kate and Mrs Payne were. Kate was still upset, crying and calling Madeleine’s name, shouting “where is she?”
She also banged on the headboard. At that moment I went to check on the twins in their room and they were ok.
I remember being in the main bedroom with Kate, Mrs Payne, Gerry, Russell and David who were sitting on the bed and I sat on the floor. At that moment David suggested that the press should be contacted. Russell disagreed, saying they should keep calm and let the police take care of the situation.
At that moment Kate appeared to lose control, crying and constantly asking “where is she?” whilst banging on the bed.
Gerry remained calm throughout. On one occasion Kate and Gerry both went to the main bedroom and I could hear both of them crying.
Quite a bit later that night I remember the police asking everyone to leave the apartment. I received a call from John informing me that he had arranged for another apartment for the McCanns. I went to reception and helped Lyndsey to move the two cots to the new apartment
The McCanns went to the new apartment and I remember seeing Kate and Mrs Payne seated on the sofa, each holding one of the twins. I left the new apartment at 04.30 in the morning after instructions from John Hill. I was the last to leave, the police had already left, but I left my number saying that I was available for anything that might be needed.
After a short rest I returned to work at 08.00. I did not see Kate or Gerry during the whole morning, but went to the new apartment at about lunchtime. Kate and Gerry were not there but there were other members of the group taking care of the twins.
I remember there were helicopters flying overhead and showing them to the twins.
I remember that both Kate and Gerry were calmer that day and Kate had stopped crying. They were accompanied by family members who had travelled to Portugal and by the local priest. I remember that on the night Madeleine disappeared, Kate wanted to contact the local priest, but it was not possible to reach him by phone.
I remember being present in the apartment with Kate, Gerry and other members of the family when they gave their first press conference. Gerry sat at the table and wrote what he wanted to say to the press and Kate, although she did not want to speak to the press, accompanied Gerry and stood by his side while he read the statement. I and the others stayed at the apartment door to observe.
During the weeks that followed, when Kate and Gerry were still staying in the complex I accompanied them and helped in the preparation of the posters for Gerry and planned the way to take the twins to the crèche without being bothered by the press. Gerry was always calm and polite, whilst Kate could not hide her emotion. At times she appeared reasonably all right at other times she would walk about crying.
In relation to the specific questions, these are my replies:
1. My first meeting with the McCanns occurred when they arrived at the complex and my relationship with them was purely professional as Manager of Client Support services and a s Mark Warner representative.
2) I first spoke to Gerry and Kate McCann at about 23.00 on the night of 3rd May in their apartment after the disappearance of Madeleine.
3) Gerry and Kate said that their daughter had disappeared and that she had been abducted.
4) I would describe Kate’s reaction as hysterical and desperate. Gerry was visibly upset and cried out of our earshot, but he maintained a firm position and helped in all he could.
5) As mentioned previously, their emotional state was one of consternation and despair.
This statement was made by me and is truthful as far as my understanding.
Processos Vol XII
Pages 3259-3263
Date 02-10-2007
Place: Ocean Club
Executing Officers: Paolo Ferreira and Ricardo Paiva
On this date, at 15.00 we went to the Ocean Club where we were received by the Maintenance and Service Manager, Silvia Baptista, and by the Mark Warner director, John Hill. We asked them to show us all the printers and photocopiers existing at the OC, which were operational at the time of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and that were used to print colour copies of Madeleine’s photo.
Silvia Baptista informed us that at the request of John Hill and his wife D****, hundreds of colour copies of a photo of Madeleine McCann were printed on 4th May 2007 with the aim of distributing them in Pda L and Lagos. For this purpose a colour photocopier, Toshiba, in the main OC reception was used as well as an HP laser printer, HP Color Laserjet 2840 located at a desk at the Ocean Country company, a colour laser printer Epsom Aculaser C1100 located on the desk of the administrative secretary and a colour laser printer HP Color Laserjet 1600 located on John Hill’s desk.
On his part, John Hill informed us that the printing of large quantities of Madeleine’s photo was carried out by himself with the help of his wife, at the request of Russell O’Brien, a member of the McCann’s group of friends, John Hill stated that the photograph the colour prints were made from a mobile data disk of the “memory stick” kind that Russell O’Brien gave him on the morning of 4th May.
They both stipulated that these were the only colour printers and photocopiers in existence at the Ocean Club and that there was no other place with the capacity for colour printing.
3 to 6—Witness statement of Emma Louise Knight 2008.04.30
Translation:
Leicestershire Police Force
Statement from: Emma Louise KNIGHT
Occupation: Hotel Manager
Date: 30th April 2008
I am currently an employee of the Mark Warner Holiday Company, 20 Kensington Church Street, London. I have worked for this company since November 2005 and have held various positions in complexes and hotels abroad.
In March 2007 I travelled to the Mark Warner complex in Praia da Luz, Portugal. My position was Client Support Manager and my function was to receive and welcome the new guests and be available to resolve any problem that might arise during their stay.
The Praia da Luz complex covers a large area and for this reason there were several locations where I worked during the day, such as the reception, the Tapas bar area and the Millenium Restaurant.
My first contact with the couple named Gerry and Kate McCann took place in the 24 hour reception when they arrived at the resort accompanied by their 3 children. They were on holiday with a number of other families, some of them arrived by different means.
During the first part of their holiday there were no problems that were brought to my knowledge relating to their stay. I knew about their three children but I never had contact with them.
On the night of 3rd May, after having finished work, I planned to meet a group of colleagues at 22.30 to go out. At about 22.17 I received a call from Lyndsey Johnson, the Crèche Manager, informing me that the girl had gone missing. I met Lyndsey and the Service Manager, Amy Tierney, near to the Tapas Bar and we initiated the “Mark Warner procedures for the search of a missing child”.
This procedure involved the distribution of leaflets that had already been prepared, with the names of the locations, for the members of staff, indicating the zones that they should search. Once the location indicated had been searched, the leaflet was returned and another one with a different location was handed over. This procedure was followed by the members of staff, but on that night about 6 residents from the complex were also involved in the search.
I was told who the missing girl was and at the beginning of the procedure went to the McCann’s apartment to obtain the girl’s description and of the clothes she was wearing when she disappeared. When I arrived at the apartment, there was a lady on the terrace, whom I now know to be Kate McCann, accompanied by the wife of one of her friends, David Payne. Kate could not say a word, looked very upset and about to cry. It was Mrs Payne who provided me with the details that I needed.
I returned to the location where the leaflets were being distributed and passed on the information that I had gathered about the missing girl. Lyndsey was busy with the distribution of the leaflets and I went to search in the beach area. On my return I passed by the Duke Pub where I met other members of staff who also joined in the searches.
The hotel manager, John Hill arrived at the location from which the searches were being organised and I can confirm that he called the police. John stayed at the location and I several times went to search the grounds. I went with Amy and we searched the highest part of the complex behind the apartments. The search lasted for about 10 minutes and then we returned. At that moment John asked me to go to the apartment the girl had disappeared from and, on behalf of Mark Warner, provide all the help the family might need.
I went to the McCann’s apartment, entered by the patio doors and introduced myself to Kate and Mrs Payne. I entered the apartment living room and Kate and Mrs Payne stayed in the main bedroom, from where I could hear them both crying.
The twins were still asleep in the children’s bedroom and the door was half open.
A short while later, Gerry returned to the apartment accompanied by Russell. They also entered by the patio doors.
I don not remember the exact sequence of events at this time, but I do remember that I phoned John, who informed me that the police were on their way.
I remember that the police arrived between 00.00 and 00.30, entered by the main door and went to the kitchen with Gerry.
I went to the bedroom where Kate and Mrs Payne were. Kate was still upset, crying and calling Madeleine’s name, shouting “where is she?”
She also banged on the headboard. At that moment I went to check on the twins in their room and they were ok.
I remember being in the main bedroom with Kate, Mrs Payne, Gerry, Russell and David who were sitting on the bed and I sat on the floor. At that moment David suggested that the press should be contacted. Russell disagreed, saying they should keep calm and let the police take care of the situation.
At that moment Kate appeared to lose control, crying and constantly asking “where is she?” whilst banging on the bed.
Gerry remained calm throughout. On one occasion Kate and Gerry both went to the main bedroom and I could hear both of them crying.
Quite a bit later that night I remember the police asking everyone to leave the apartment. I received a call from John informing me that he had arranged for another apartment for the McCanns. I went to reception and helped Lyndsey to move the two cots to the new apartment
The McCanns went to the new apartment and I remember seeing Kate and Mrs Payne seated on the sofa, each holding one of the twins. I left the new apartment at 04.30 in the morning after instructions from John Hill. I was the last to leave, the police had already left, but I left my number saying that I was available for anything that might be needed.
After a short rest I returned to work at 08.00. I did not see Kate or Gerry during the whole morning, but went to the new apartment at about lunchtime. Kate and Gerry were not there but there were other members of the group taking care of the twins.
I remember there were helicopters flying overhead and showing them to the twins.
I remember that both Kate and Gerry were calmer that day and Kate had stopped crying. They were accompanied by family members who had travelled to Portugal and by the local priest. I remember that on the night Madeleine disappeared, Kate wanted to contact the local priest, but it was not possible to reach him by phone.
I remember being present in the apartment with Kate, Gerry and other members of the family when they gave their first press conference. Gerry sat at the table and wrote what he wanted to say to the press and Kate, although she did not want to speak to the press, accompanied Gerry and stood by his side while he read the statement. I and the others stayed at the apartment door to observe.
During the weeks that followed, when Kate and Gerry were still staying in the complex I accompanied them and helped in the preparation of the posters for Gerry and planned the way to take the twins to the crèche without being bothered by the press. Gerry was always calm and polite, whilst Kate could not hide her emotion. At times she appeared reasonably all right at other times she would walk about crying.
In relation to the specific questions, these are my replies:
1. My first meeting with the McCanns occurred when they arrived at the complex and my relationship with them was purely professional as Manager of Client Support services and a s Mark Warner representative.
2) I first spoke to Gerry and Kate McCann at about 23.00 on the night of 3rd May in their apartment after the disappearance of Madeleine.
3) Gerry and Kate said that their daughter had disappeared and that she had been abducted.
4) I would describe Kate’s reaction as hysterical and desperate. Gerry was visibly upset and cried out of our earshot, but he maintained a firm position and helped in all he could.
5) As mentioned previously, their emotional state was one of consternation and despair.
This statement was made by me and is truthful as far as my understanding.
Processos Vol XII
Pages 3259-3263
Date 02-10-2007
Place: Ocean Club
Executing Officers: Paolo Ferreira and Ricardo Paiva
On this date, at 15.00 we went to the Ocean Club where we were received by the Maintenance and Service Manager, Silvia Baptista, and by the Mark Warner director, John Hill. We asked them to show us all the printers and photocopiers existing at the OC, which were operational at the time of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and that were used to print colour copies of Madeleine’s photo.
Silvia Baptista informed us that at the request of John Hill and his wife D****, hundreds of colour copies of a photo of Madeleine McCann were printed on 4th May 2007 with the aim of distributing them in Pda L and Lagos. For this purpose a colour photocopier, Toshiba, in the main OC reception was used as well as an HP laser printer, HP Color Laserjet 2840 located at a desk at the Ocean Country company, a colour laser printer Epsom Aculaser C1100 located on the desk of the administrative secretary and a colour laser printer HP Color Laserjet 1600 located on John Hill’s desk.
On his part, John Hill informed us that the printing of large quantities of Madeleine’s photo was carried out by himself with the help of his wife, at the request of Russell O’Brien, a member of the McCann’s group of friends, John Hill stated that the photograph the colour prints were made from a mobile data disk of the “memory stick” kind that Russell O’Brien gave him on the morning of 4th May.
They both stipulated that these were the only colour printers and photocopiers in existence at the Ocean Club and that there was no other place with the capacity for colour printing.
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Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:47
Processos Vol III
Pages 796 – 797
Date: 2007/05/09
Witness Statement
Helder Jorge Samaio Luis
Occupation: Receptionist Ocean Club
Has worked at the Ocean Club for almost a year and a half and works as a Receptionist at the main Ocean Club Reception. He doesn’t work fixed hours but he always works on the 16.00 to 34.00 shift.
All his work takes place at the main reception.
He knows about the situation that happened at the Ocean Club concerning the disappearance of a little given that on the day in question (03/05/2007) he was on duty and was contacted by a member of staff from the Tapas Restaurant between 09.30 and 22.00 who informed him that the daughter of some guests who were dining there had disappeared.
That he immediately contacted the GNR in Lagos, shortly after this the child’s father and John Hill arrived at the reception and he phoned the GNR again.
He then contacted the head of reception Vítor Santos and informed him of the situation.
He remained at the OC reception until 24.00 when he was replaced by a colleague Mr Eliseu.
He then left the OC and went home.
He did not see or hear anything suspicious on 3rd May nor on the previous days.
Reads, signs, ratifies.
Processos Vol III
Pages 663 - 664
Date :
Witness Statement (Hand written)
Eliseu Jorge Craveiro Viana
Occupation: Receptionist
Place of Work: Main Reception
He has worked at the Ocean Club for seven years, working as receptionist and sometimes as a driver. He did not work on 3rd May 2007, only arriving for duty at 00.00 on 4th May at the main reception. When he was arriving for duty, along the Prof Gentils as usual, he noticed movements and people circulating. There were also people in the street, however he did not see anything abnormal or which attracted his attention. When he passed the main road next to the swimming pool and Tapas restaurant it was about 23.55. It was when he arrived at the main reception that he was told by a colleague that girl had disappeared, that she was English and called Madeleine. There was great confusion as nobody knew how this could have happened. As regards elements concerning this he heard about them from the Portuguese and English press and from comments from guests.
He works basically in the reception with sporadic contacts with the bars and restaurants in the complex. He has contacts he has coffee with and he sometimes visits colleagues he is friendly with. As concerns the disappearance he does not know of any useful elements. He did not hear any conversation resulting from own knowledge of the event, having just heard news from the press. He works in a place where many people enter and where there are many phone calls. He does not remember having heard or seen anything strange or having seen suspicious people near the reception. He does not remember having been asked about the functioning of the OC baby sitting services, children or activities by anyone who would not have a reason to enquire. He remembers that most children have children and therefore are interested in knowing about how these services work. He has no knowledge of any child having disappeared before from the ocean Club or of the occurrence of sexual crimes.
He also says that there were many clients who were worried about this event and that some had cancelled their holiday bookings
Processos Vol II
Pages 261 – 263
Witness Statement
Maria Manuela Antonia José
Date: 06 – 05 - 2007
Place of Work: OC
She has worked at the OC, since 25 March 2006, in Luz, as a cook in one of the restaurants within the complex, called the Tapas Restaurant.
With relation to the facts being investigated, she confirms that on the 4 May 2007, at about 18h30, when arriving for work at the complex, she heard from her supervisor, Steve, that a female child who was staying with her parents and siblings at one of the OC apartments had gone missing on the previous day (3rd May 2007).
When she was informed about the disappearance she did not realise which child this was, it was only later, upon watching the television news that night and after seeing pictures of the missing child on television, that she realised who the girl was, referring to her as Madeleine (the name used by the journalists) remembering only at that moment that she had seen her during the meals provided to the children at the crèche, and which take place at the restaurant where she works and during arrivals at the crèche where Madeleine spent the day, located immediately next to the restaurant.
Upon questioning, the witness confirms that on the day of the disappearance, she worked at the restaurant from 10h00 to 18h45, when, having finished her shift, she went home, where she remained with her 13 year old son until approximately 10h00 the following day (4th May).
On 4th May 2007, due to the fact that she had a medical appointment at the Lagos Health Centre followed by an appointment at the Portimão Court at 15h00, she only began work at 18h30 (dinner service, which lasts until 24h00).
With relation to the facts being investigated, she only knows what she heard from the media or from conversations with her colleagues.
Upon questioning, she states that the last time she saw Madeleine was at approximately 16.30 on 3rd May 2007 when she was having dinner with the other children in their part of the restaurant, as she did each day of that week.
She information that it of use to the investigation, and has nothing more to add, but repeats that the girl was with her parents on holiday at the resort, together with her two twin siblings.
She has no knowledge of any suspicious situation.
Reads, ratifies and signs.
Pages 796 – 797
Date: 2007/05/09
Witness Statement
Helder Jorge Samaio Luis
Occupation: Receptionist Ocean Club
Has worked at the Ocean Club for almost a year and a half and works as a Receptionist at the main Ocean Club Reception. He doesn’t work fixed hours but he always works on the 16.00 to 34.00 shift.
All his work takes place at the main reception.
He knows about the situation that happened at the Ocean Club concerning the disappearance of a little given that on the day in question (03/05/2007) he was on duty and was contacted by a member of staff from the Tapas Restaurant between 09.30 and 22.00 who informed him that the daughter of some guests who were dining there had disappeared.
That he immediately contacted the GNR in Lagos, shortly after this the child’s father and John Hill arrived at the reception and he phoned the GNR again.
He then contacted the head of reception Vítor Santos and informed him of the situation.
He remained at the OC reception until 24.00 when he was replaced by a colleague Mr Eliseu.
He then left the OC and went home.
He did not see or hear anything suspicious on 3rd May nor on the previous days.
Reads, signs, ratifies.
Processos Vol III
Pages 663 - 664
Date :
Witness Statement (Hand written)
Eliseu Jorge Craveiro Viana
Occupation: Receptionist
Place of Work: Main Reception
He has worked at the Ocean Club for seven years, working as receptionist and sometimes as a driver. He did not work on 3rd May 2007, only arriving for duty at 00.00 on 4th May at the main reception. When he was arriving for duty, along the Prof Gentils as usual, he noticed movements and people circulating. There were also people in the street, however he did not see anything abnormal or which attracted his attention. When he passed the main road next to the swimming pool and Tapas restaurant it was about 23.55. It was when he arrived at the main reception that he was told by a colleague that girl had disappeared, that she was English and called Madeleine. There was great confusion as nobody knew how this could have happened. As regards elements concerning this he heard about them from the Portuguese and English press and from comments from guests.
He works basically in the reception with sporadic contacts with the bars and restaurants in the complex. He has contacts he has coffee with and he sometimes visits colleagues he is friendly with. As concerns the disappearance he does not know of any useful elements. He did not hear any conversation resulting from own knowledge of the event, having just heard news from the press. He works in a place where many people enter and where there are many phone calls. He does not remember having heard or seen anything strange or having seen suspicious people near the reception. He does not remember having been asked about the functioning of the OC baby sitting services, children or activities by anyone who would not have a reason to enquire. He remembers that most children have children and therefore are interested in knowing about how these services work. He has no knowledge of any child having disappeared before from the ocean Club or of the occurrence of sexual crimes.
He also says that there were many clients who were worried about this event and that some had cancelled their holiday bookings
Processos Vol II
Pages 261 – 263
Witness Statement
Maria Manuela Antonia José
Date: 06 – 05 - 2007
Place of Work: OC
She has worked at the OC, since 25 March 2006, in Luz, as a cook in one of the restaurants within the complex, called the Tapas Restaurant.
With relation to the facts being investigated, she confirms that on the 4 May 2007, at about 18h30, when arriving for work at the complex, she heard from her supervisor, Steve, that a female child who was staying with her parents and siblings at one of the OC apartments had gone missing on the previous day (3rd May 2007).
When she was informed about the disappearance she did not realise which child this was, it was only later, upon watching the television news that night and after seeing pictures of the missing child on television, that she realised who the girl was, referring to her as Madeleine (the name used by the journalists) remembering only at that moment that she had seen her during the meals provided to the children at the crèche, and which take place at the restaurant where she works and during arrivals at the crèche where Madeleine spent the day, located immediately next to the restaurant.
Upon questioning, the witness confirms that on the day of the disappearance, she worked at the restaurant from 10h00 to 18h45, when, having finished her shift, she went home, where she remained with her 13 year old son until approximately 10h00 the following day (4th May).
On 4th May 2007, due to the fact that she had a medical appointment at the Lagos Health Centre followed by an appointment at the Portimão Court at 15h00, she only began work at 18h30 (dinner service, which lasts until 24h00).
With relation to the facts being investigated, she only knows what she heard from the media or from conversations with her colleagues.
Upon questioning, she states that the last time she saw Madeleine was at approximately 16.30 on 3rd May 2007 when she was having dinner with the other children in their part of the restaurant, as she did each day of that week.
She information that it of use to the investigation, and has nothing more to add, but repeats that the girl was with her parents on holiday at the resort, together with her two twin siblings.
She has no knowledge of any suspicious situation.
Reads, ratifies and signs.
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:47
Processos Vol III
Pages 685 – 686
Witness Statement
2007/05/08
Joelson Fabio Soarez Santos Lúcio
Place of work: Tapas Restaurant
He is an employee of the Tapas restaurant since the 27th April of this year. That he works the shifts of 15.30 to 24.00 with the exception of Wednesdays when he works from 10.00 to 18.00, he has Mondays and Tuesdays off.
That most of the clients who frequent the restaurant where he works are foreigners, especially British people staying at the OC.
On the date when the events happened, he was working when he was informed by a colleague who was helping him – given the amount of work they had at that time – about the disappearance of a child – a girl. At the time he thought she must have got lost and did not give much importance to the events.
At about 24.00, when he left, he noticed the police presence and many people, who had gathered near to one of the apartment blocks, which he cannot name. He then went home accompanied by his girlfriend, who is also an employee of the resort.
On the following day, Friday, when he returned to work, he began his duties at the Millenium restaurant, where he remained, working. That until then he had not had the opportunity to watch the news about the situation, and was not aware of the details.
When questioned, he says that he does not what the parents or the child look like as he was always working inside the kitchen and he does not usually have contact with the guests.
When questioned, he says that he did not see any abnormal behaviour by any individual that would indicate the preparation of any criminal behaviour.
Reads, ratifies and signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 700 – 701
Date: 2007 – 05 - 08
Witness Statement
Mónica Azevedo Coutinho Marques
Occupation . Receptionist
Place of Work: OC
When asked, she says that she has been employed as a receptionist at the OC for one month.
She works from 09.00 to 19.00. She has Fridays and Saturdays off. She adds that her place of work is essentially the reception area of the OC situated near the Mirage restaurant. In other words the area where she works is quite far from the place the child disappeared from.
As regards the child’s parents, she says that she only has a slight memory of the mother, having seen her in the press. As regards the other members of the family, she does not remember any of them.
On the day of the child’s disappearance she was working, having left as usual at about 19.00 in her dark green Ford Fiesta car, she does not remember the number plate. After having left she says she went to her parents house near Monte Lemus. A few minutes later she went to a friend’s house in P da L, where she stayed until about 22.30. When she was getting ready to go home, she passed some guests who asked her to stop her car. She did this and was asked if she had seen a small girl who had disappeared some moments before, near to that place. Given the situation, she began to search, without success.
When it was almost 23.00, she went to the Club reception to pick up some things. Then she went home.
When questioned she said that she did not see anything or anyone suspicious in the preceding days.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 598 – 599
Date: 2007/05/06
Witness Statement
María José dos Santos Rosa
Occupation: Bar Chief
Place of Work: Ocean Club
That she has worked as bar chief at the OC tourist resort since 14th March of this year. That within the resort she exercises her functions at the Millenium Restaurant and does not tend to frequent the other areas of the complex.
Her working hours are from 16.00 to 24.00, with Fridays and Saturdays off.
When questioned about the disappearance, she says she heard about it on that night at about 22.00 when an English tourist arrived at the Millenium restaurant to ask whether anyone had seen a lost little girl.
When questioned, she says that in the preceding days she had not seen the girl or her family, having only seen their pictures after the disappearance.
When questioned she says that nobody asked her questions about the tourists or children staying at the resort, nor about the functioning of the resort.
She did not notice anyone or anything strange or suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Pages 685 – 686
Witness Statement
2007/05/08
Joelson Fabio Soarez Santos Lúcio
Place of work: Tapas Restaurant
He is an employee of the Tapas restaurant since the 27th April of this year. That he works the shifts of 15.30 to 24.00 with the exception of Wednesdays when he works from 10.00 to 18.00, he has Mondays and Tuesdays off.
That most of the clients who frequent the restaurant where he works are foreigners, especially British people staying at the OC.
On the date when the events happened, he was working when he was informed by a colleague who was helping him – given the amount of work they had at that time – about the disappearance of a child – a girl. At the time he thought she must have got lost and did not give much importance to the events.
At about 24.00, when he left, he noticed the police presence and many people, who had gathered near to one of the apartment blocks, which he cannot name. He then went home accompanied by his girlfriend, who is also an employee of the resort.
On the following day, Friday, when he returned to work, he began his duties at the Millenium restaurant, where he remained, working. That until then he had not had the opportunity to watch the news about the situation, and was not aware of the details.
When questioned, he says that he does not what the parents or the child look like as he was always working inside the kitchen and he does not usually have contact with the guests.
When questioned, he says that he did not see any abnormal behaviour by any individual that would indicate the preparation of any criminal behaviour.
Reads, ratifies and signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 700 – 701
Date: 2007 – 05 - 08
Witness Statement
Mónica Azevedo Coutinho Marques
Occupation . Receptionist
Place of Work: OC
When asked, she says that she has been employed as a receptionist at the OC for one month.
She works from 09.00 to 19.00. She has Fridays and Saturdays off. She adds that her place of work is essentially the reception area of the OC situated near the Mirage restaurant. In other words the area where she works is quite far from the place the child disappeared from.
As regards the child’s parents, she says that she only has a slight memory of the mother, having seen her in the press. As regards the other members of the family, she does not remember any of them.
On the day of the child’s disappearance she was working, having left as usual at about 19.00 in her dark green Ford Fiesta car, she does not remember the number plate. After having left she says she went to her parents house near Monte Lemus. A few minutes later she went to a friend’s house in P da L, where she stayed until about 22.30. When she was getting ready to go home, she passed some guests who asked her to stop her car. She did this and was asked if she had seen a small girl who had disappeared some moments before, near to that place. Given the situation, she began to search, without success.
When it was almost 23.00, she went to the Club reception to pick up some things. Then she went home.
When questioned she said that she did not see anything or anyone suspicious in the preceding days.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 598 – 599
Date: 2007/05/06
Witness Statement
María José dos Santos Rosa
Occupation: Bar Chief
Place of Work: Ocean Club
That she has worked as bar chief at the OC tourist resort since 14th March of this year. That within the resort she exercises her functions at the Millenium Restaurant and does not tend to frequent the other areas of the complex.
Her working hours are from 16.00 to 24.00, with Fridays and Saturdays off.
When questioned about the disappearance, she says she heard about it on that night at about 22.00 when an English tourist arrived at the Millenium restaurant to ask whether anyone had seen a lost little girl.
When questioned, she says that in the preceding days she had not seen the girl or her family, having only seen their pictures after the disappearance.
When questioned she says that nobody asked her questions about the tourists or children staying at the resort, nor about the functioning of the resort.
She did not notice anyone or anything strange or suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs
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Processos Vol III
Pages 540 – 542
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
José Carlos Silva Batista
Place of work: OC
Occupation : Head of Maintenance
He has worked at the OC for about 19 years as Assistant Gardener and Head of Maintenance. His hours are from 08.00 – 13.00 and from 14.00 – 18.00, although the time he leaves depends on the kind of work he is doing.
As Head of Maintenance he carried out repairs and modifications to the apartments and rooms, mainly remodelling requested by clients, after presenting a quote as well as aesthetic and other repairs in the OC.
That for the exercise of his functions he is helped by Jaime Graça, who accompanies him and carries out the designated services.
That the services he carried out are designated by the OC director.
That to carry out his work he sometimes needs the keys to the apartments and these are always requested from maintenance or from the OC reception. Whenever a key is requested, a register is made of the request.
Most of the services he provides are large or medium scale jobs, for which the apartments and rooms need to be unoccupied. He carries out services in OC rooms and apartments as well as work for private clients.
The keys to the apartments remain in his or in his colleague’s possession until the work is finished when they are returned to the place where they were given them.
When the rooms are occupied all the services are done by the maintenance team.
That he knows about the situation in the OC relating to the disappearance of the little girl, having been informed on the same day, at about 22.30 by phone by the OC administrator, who had contacted his wife, Silvia Batista.
That he immediately left for the OC where he arrived at about 23.00 and immediately began to search the resort and the beach area, searching in all the places where the child might be. The searches were carried out by employees from the Tapas and the restaurant who had just finished their shifts and by some local people. He continued searching until about 04.00 when he returned home with his wife.
Whilst he was at the resort he did not see anything unusual.
That the room from which the girl disappeared was sealed off after the arrival of the GNR, as there were some persons inside the room, whom he supposed were the girl’s parents, their friends, the OC Administrator, who had called his wife, Silvia Batista, to come to the site to help with translations.
That he does not know under which circumstances the girl disappeared or who could have information leading to her return.
That on 03/05/2007 he began work at 08.30 when he arrived at the club, had a cup of coffee and checked with the gardener who was doing maintenance. That he checked all the ongoing works under his responsibility, mainly a room in block 2 – D in the club and then number 26 in the Ocean Garden, he drove around the resort several times, checking works under his responsibility. He went home at about 19.00.
He saw nothing strange or suspicious during the preceding days.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages : 545 - 546
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Jaime Manuel Gonçalves Graça
Profession: Stone mason
Place of Work: OC
He does all the necessary work – external and interiors – in the resort.
He does not often frequent the apartment blocks that are in use, he is attentive to their being in a good condition, but only sporadically carries our repairs within the apartments.
He mentions that he does not have direct contact with clients/guests at the complex and when he does do work in the apartments, this only happens when the apartments are not in use.
His hours are from 08.00 to 17.00 on weekdays, with the weekends off.
As regards the investigation, he says he knows nothing that could be of interest.
He says that before seeing the news and the images of the McCann family, he had never seen them or their children before.
On the day of the events he was at work as usual, at 17.00 he left work to go to his home in Lagos, where he stayed.
When questioned, he said that he is currently carrying out repairs in the area behind the Millenium restaurant.
He heard about the events on Friday when he turned up for work.
He saw nothing strange or suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 547 – 548
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Manuel Viegas Estivão
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He is an employee in the gardening sector of the OC since August 2006, he does the gardening work within the resort, looking after the green areas there. His hours are 08.00 to 17.00.
With regard to the disappearance of the English girl, Madeleine, he says he heard about this when he arrived at work on the morning of 4th May 2007.
He says that he never saw the girl or her family in the days before her disappearance. He only knew who they were from the images in the media.
He saw nothing strange on the days before the disappearance, neither did he notice the presence of any cars that appeared out of the ordinary to him.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 540 – 542
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
José Carlos Silva Batista
Place of work: OC
Occupation : Head of Maintenance
He has worked at the OC for about 19 years as Assistant Gardener and Head of Maintenance. His hours are from 08.00 – 13.00 and from 14.00 – 18.00, although the time he leaves depends on the kind of work he is doing.
As Head of Maintenance he carried out repairs and modifications to the apartments and rooms, mainly remodelling requested by clients, after presenting a quote as well as aesthetic and other repairs in the OC.
That for the exercise of his functions he is helped by Jaime Graça, who accompanies him and carries out the designated services.
That the services he carried out are designated by the OC director.
That to carry out his work he sometimes needs the keys to the apartments and these are always requested from maintenance or from the OC reception. Whenever a key is requested, a register is made of the request.
Most of the services he provides are large or medium scale jobs, for which the apartments and rooms need to be unoccupied. He carries out services in OC rooms and apartments as well as work for private clients.
The keys to the apartments remain in his or in his colleague’s possession until the work is finished when they are returned to the place where they were given them.
When the rooms are occupied all the services are done by the maintenance team.
That he knows about the situation in the OC relating to the disappearance of the little girl, having been informed on the same day, at about 22.30 by phone by the OC administrator, who had contacted his wife, Silvia Batista.
That he immediately left for the OC where he arrived at about 23.00 and immediately began to search the resort and the beach area, searching in all the places where the child might be. The searches were carried out by employees from the Tapas and the restaurant who had just finished their shifts and by some local people. He continued searching until about 04.00 when he returned home with his wife.
Whilst he was at the resort he did not see anything unusual.
That the room from which the girl disappeared was sealed off after the arrival of the GNR, as there were some persons inside the room, whom he supposed were the girl’s parents, their friends, the OC Administrator, who had called his wife, Silvia Batista, to come to the site to help with translations.
That he does not know under which circumstances the girl disappeared or who could have information leading to her return.
That on 03/05/2007 he began work at 08.30 when he arrived at the club, had a cup of coffee and checked with the gardener who was doing maintenance. That he checked all the ongoing works under his responsibility, mainly a room in block 2 – D in the club and then number 26 in the Ocean Garden, he drove around the resort several times, checking works under his responsibility. He went home at about 19.00.
He saw nothing strange or suspicious during the preceding days.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages : 545 - 546
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Jaime Manuel Gonçalves Graça
Profession: Stone mason
Place of Work: OC
He does all the necessary work – external and interiors – in the resort.
He does not often frequent the apartment blocks that are in use, he is attentive to their being in a good condition, but only sporadically carries our repairs within the apartments.
He mentions that he does not have direct contact with clients/guests at the complex and when he does do work in the apartments, this only happens when the apartments are not in use.
His hours are from 08.00 to 17.00 on weekdays, with the weekends off.
As regards the investigation, he says he knows nothing that could be of interest.
He says that before seeing the news and the images of the McCann family, he had never seen them or their children before.
On the day of the events he was at work as usual, at 17.00 he left work to go to his home in Lagos, where he stayed.
When questioned, he said that he is currently carrying out repairs in the area behind the Millenium restaurant.
He heard about the events on Friday when he turned up for work.
He saw nothing strange or suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 547 – 548
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Manuel Viegas Estivão
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He is an employee in the gardening sector of the OC since August 2006, he does the gardening work within the resort, looking after the green areas there. His hours are 08.00 to 17.00.
With regard to the disappearance of the English girl, Madeleine, he says he heard about this when he arrived at work on the morning of 4th May 2007.
He says that he never saw the girl or her family in the days before her disappearance. He only knew who they were from the images in the media.
He saw nothing strange on the days before the disappearance, neither did he notice the presence of any cars that appeared out of the ordinary to him.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Processos Vol III
Pages 549 -550
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Sergio Manuel Guerreiro Conceição
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: OC
He has been an employee of the OC gardening sector for the past 8 years and it is his task to care of all the gardening in the resort, specifying that he does these tasks in different areas, especially those of leisure.
His hours are 08.00 – 17.00 except for the weekends when he has time off.
Has nothing to add of interest to the investigation.
He had never seen the McCann family before their images were shown in the media.
On the day of the events, he worked as usual before going home at 17.00.
He heard about the disappearance from the media on the same day.
When he arrived at work the next day, he heard that several colleagues had participated in searches, but he did not.
Did not see anything strange and knows nothing of interest to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs,
Processos Vol III
Pages: 554 - 555
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Maria Dulce Pereira Mauricio Espírito Santo
Occupation: Seamstress
Place of Work: OC
She is a seamstress who has worked at the OC for 17 years. However, she was off work for a while due to illness and went back to work precisely on the day of Madeleine’s disappearance.
She works in the laundry from 09.00 with a break from 13.00 to 14.00 and until 17.00.
Occasionally, when necessary she goes to the apartments, always accompanied by her superior D. Marina.
She only heard about the events on the following Friday from the media.
She was not working on the days prior to the disappearance and there was nothing that made her suspicions.
Nothing more to add.
Reads, ratifies and signs.
Processos Volume III, pgs. 553 to 554
Witness statement of Carlos Alberto Gouveia do Nascimento
Date of visit: 2007/05/08 Time: 11:00 AM Location: business "Ocean
Club Praia da Luz
Person in charge:
Officials undertaking: Hugo Silva, Inspector
Name : Carlos Alberto Gouveia do Nascimento
Occupation. Gardener
Place of work: OC
He has worked as a gardener at the complex for a year and a half and takes care of all the gardening jobs in the complex
He works from Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 17.00.
As regards the week in question, he confirms that it was a quiet week without any strange incidents.
He does not remember having had any contact with the McCann family.
He went home as usual at 17.00 on the day of the disappearance and saw the news that night.
Since then he has followed the news from the media.
Has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 549 -550
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Sergio Manuel Guerreiro Conceição
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: OC
He has been an employee of the OC gardening sector for the past 8 years and it is his task to care of all the gardening in the resort, specifying that he does these tasks in different areas, especially those of leisure.
His hours are 08.00 – 17.00 except for the weekends when he has time off.
Has nothing to add of interest to the investigation.
He had never seen the McCann family before their images were shown in the media.
On the day of the events, he worked as usual before going home at 17.00.
He heard about the disappearance from the media on the same day.
When he arrived at work the next day, he heard that several colleagues had participated in searches, but he did not.
Did not see anything strange and knows nothing of interest to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs,
Processos Vol III
Pages: 554 - 555
Date: 2007/05/08
Witness Statement
Maria Dulce Pereira Mauricio Espírito Santo
Occupation: Seamstress
Place of Work: OC
She is a seamstress who has worked at the OC for 17 years. However, she was off work for a while due to illness and went back to work precisely on the day of Madeleine’s disappearance.
She works in the laundry from 09.00 with a break from 13.00 to 14.00 and until 17.00.
Occasionally, when necessary she goes to the apartments, always accompanied by her superior D. Marina.
She only heard about the events on the following Friday from the media.
She was not working on the days prior to the disappearance and there was nothing that made her suspicions.
Nothing more to add.
Reads, ratifies and signs.
Processos Volume III, pgs. 553 to 554
Witness statement of Carlos Alberto Gouveia do Nascimento
Date of visit: 2007/05/08 Time: 11:00 AM Location: business "Ocean
Club Praia da Luz
Person in charge:
Officials undertaking: Hugo Silva, Inspector
Name : Carlos Alberto Gouveia do Nascimento
Occupation. Gardener
Place of work: OC
He has worked as a gardener at the complex for a year and a half and takes care of all the gardening jobs in the complex
He works from Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 17.00.
As regards the week in question, he confirms that it was a quiet week without any strange incidents.
He does not remember having had any contact with the McCann family.
He went home as usual at 17.00 on the day of the disappearance and saw the news that night.
Since then he has followed the news from the media.
Has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Processos
Volume II
Pages 412 - 414
Miguel Goncalves Da Costa Palma
Date/Time: 2007/05/07 18H40
General Handyman
Portuguese
He has worked at the OC since 15/03/06 exercising his functions as general handyman, specifically, in the area of maintenance;
His functions are exercised in all types of maintenance necessary for the smooth functioning of living quarters and apartments, such as repairs of damaged materials, small repairs, etc.
Previously he worked as a Head Waiter in a pension, in Fortaleza do Beliche, situated in Cabo de Sao Vicente, Sagres, where he worked for 13 years, until the restaurant closed down. Upon finding himself unemployed, he applied for work at the Ocean Club, and at other locations. After a while, the O C contacted him to begin work as a multi-purpose handyman.
He signed a contract for a one year term, and it was renewed.
In his functions, he carries out the necessary maintenance for the entire OC resort and duties are assigned by the Head of Maintenance, Mr. Nuno Conceicao, or in his absence, his duties are written in the service notes.
In order to carry out his functions, he has access to all the living quarters and apartments of the Ocean Club resort, with the exception of the private apartments, which, although they are located within the resort, their maintenance is carried out by the apartment owners.
He begins work at 09H00, meeting with the rest of his colleagues in the maintenance garage, and at that time service notes are distributed by the maintenance supervisor, or in his absence are passed by other colleagues.
His working day begins at 09H00 until 13H00 and from 14H00 to 18H00.
The keys to the living quarters and apartments that are under the responsibility of the Ocean Club, and are kept inside a safe in the Maintenance Garage, the access code to the safe is known by all maintenance workers.
The keys are only taken from the safe when it is necessary to carry out a service, in this case a service request exists, which is registered in the name of the maintenance worker and indicates the time spent and which is given to the Director of Maintenance Services, Mrs. Silvia.
He knows about the situation that occurred at the Ocean Club, with regard to the disappearance of a child, having been informed via telephone by his supervisor at 08H00 on the 04/05/07.
After finding out what happened, he arrived at work at 09H00, and was told by the Head of Maintenance to go to the apartment blocks in the Ocean Garden in order to, together with other resort workers, hand out leaflets referring to the girl’s disappearance. The leaflets he distributed did not have the girl’s photograph on them. The leaflets were distributed all over the resort located in Luz, Lagos.
Afterwards, some of them went to search around the pools and grassy areas in the hope of finding the child.
That after this he went for lunch and carried out some service functions, having left for Lagos in order to collect material for the repair of a living quarter and toward the end of the afternoon went to paint room number 26 – COT Garden, finishing work at 18H00.
On the day of the girl’s disappearance, 03/05/07, he arrived at work at 09H00, having carried out some service requests, but does not remember the places and refers to the fact that these details are noted on the service requests.
During the afternoon, he varnished a room door, number 26 – COT Garden;
He finished work at 18H20, and left the Ocean Club resort, heading for Burgau, in the company of a colleague, Tiago, and after that went home.
He did not see anything abnormal on 03/05/07, nor did any colleagues comment upon anything unusual. He is unaware of any detail or information regarding the disappearance of the child, nor does he have any information that could help in locating her nor does he know anyone having such information.
Nothing more said, having read the statement finds it in conformity and signs it.
Processos
Volume II
Pages 341- 343
Jose Duarte Nunes de Oliva Novo
Date/Time: 2007/05/07 11H00
Account Manager/Accountant
Portuguese
Since the age of 18, he has worked in the tourist complex known as the Ocean Club, situated at 44 Rua Direita, Praia da Luz, Luz, Lagos, as an accountant. The place of his work is in the reception offices of the complex.
With relation to the events under investigation, the witness notes that on May 03, 2007, (Thursday), at around 23H00, at home, in Ramalhete, Casa ***, Praia da Luz, Luz, Lagos, situated close to the OC resort, he noticed “much movement and traffic that was out of the ordinary,” outside (vehicles and individuals passing by frequently) for that time of night. For this reason, he went to look out of his window. Whilst this was happening, he noticed a colleague, Joao Carlos Batista (Head of Maintenance at the resort) standing next to his house, who told him what had happened. Joao told him that a child staying at the tourist complex had disappeared.
He assumed that there was nothing unusual about the disappearance and that the child would appear shortly and re-entered his home where he remained until 08H00 the following day (04 May 2007);
On that day (04 May 2007), at around 08H00, the witness’ superior (George Robin Crossland) went to his home, asking him to compose a “document” in Portuguese informing of the disappearance of the female child from the resort, for distribution to the nearby population.
It was only at this moment that the witness understood the gravity of the situation, having been informed that the missing child had not been found since 22H00 the following day (03 May 2007). This child was female, her name was Madeleine, she was three years of age, of British nationality, and was staying, together with her parents and siblings, in an apartment block 5 (Water Side Gardens) at the Ocean Club establishment;
The witness immediately proceeded to do what had been requested, having gone to his place of work, where he produced the “document” translated from a missive, written in English that had been handed to him by George Crossland.
The witness did not know the child in question or the rest of her family or group and only saw Madeleine and her family after the disappearance in the media.
On the day of the disappearance, he worked according to his normal routine and arrived at his office at about 09H30, had lunch at around 13H00 and returned at 14H30 remaining at work until 18H00. Afterwards, he went to Portimão in his car, where he took his mother for an appointment at Alvor Hospital. He returned home alone at about 21H30, after having dined in Alvor and remained at home until the following day.
With regard to the events under investigation he only knows of the events from what he has heard from the media and from conversations with his colleagues. He has nothing else to add different to what has already been stated, what has already been recorded, the child was on holiday with her parents and siblings.
He is not aware of any suspicious activity, whether directly or indirectly related that could help the investigation.
Processos Vol VII
Pages 1835 – 1837
Witness Statement
George Robin Crossland
Date 2007/06/20
Location: Praia da Luz
He comes to the process as a witness and is helped by an interpreter.
With relation to his previous statements, when questioned he wishes to add that the negotiations with regard to the selling of the Ocean Club began in January 2006, involving as selling parties, himself, David Symington and John Garveigh, who are all partners in a company called Luz Oceano II – Exploração Turística Lda, this company being the owner of the administrative rights of the different factions that make up the resort.
This firm is registered at the Lagos CRC with the number NIPC 501969969.
The management of the assets was done by a company with the same partners called Luz Oceano – Administração de Condominios SA, registered at the same CRC (Conservatória do Registro Comercial) with the number NIPC 501614710.
The is a third company called George Propiedades S.A with NIPC number 504280767 which has the effective ownership of some of the apartments in the resort, this being the company which, through its legal representatives, can celebrate legal negotiations of buying and selling property.
Because of the advanced age of two of the witness’s partners and considering that he also has the intention of withdrawing himself from active life, came the joint decision by all the partners to make known their intention of proceeding to sell the resort to a guest during a dinner at the witness’s house. He only remembers the first name of this person was Andrew who once saw a friend of the witness, telling him that he perhaps remembered a company interested in the resort, in this case Mark Warner. During the first days of January last year, the witness received a telephone call from Mark Chitty, a partner in that company with a 50% share, who showed interest in visiting the resort for a first visit, which occurred, the visitor having shown interest in acquiring the resort.
The other Mark Warner partner is also British (English), called Andrew Searle and who holds the remaining share of the capital.
Negotiations took almost one year and culminated with the sale of the companies Luz Oceano and Luz Oceano II as well as a rental contract being celebrated for ten years of 27 apartments owned by George Propiedades.
In the purchasing capacity a company called European Leisure Holdings Ltd intervened in the whole negotiation, taken on by the two Mark Warner partners previously identified, being the purchaser and retained by MW, although by indirect means.
The creation of the Green Trust company was due to the fact that it was necessary to establish a company in Portugal for logistical and fiscal reasons.
The witness is not a partner in any Greentrust shares, as at the moment he has the function of administrator, for a minimum period of two years, a clause agreed with the purchaser, in the sense that the witness will pass on these functions to someone of his trust in the future.
The situation is verified by the will of the purchasing company to benefit from the witness’s know-how.
The sale of the companies Luz Oceano and Luz Oceano II provided the three partners with a total of 1.85 million Euros, distributed according to their quotas, the witness holds 30%, the others hold 35% each.
This value has not yet been fully paid out, the partners received 25% of the amount agreed upon signing the contract, 25% was paid in July of this year, the rest will be paid over the next 5 years, beginning on 1st May 2009, in eight successive instalments for the value of seventy eight thousand, one hundred and twenty five euros.
With regard to the rental agreement with George Propiedades, this legal negotiation presents values of 328.00,00 euros per year for a total of ten years.
According to what the witness remembers, the contract celebrated can only be denounced if the selling party’s tourist operation licence is cancelled.
With regard to the disappearance of Madeleine, the witness has nothing to add to his previous statement.
He says no more. Reads, ratifies and signs.
Volume II
Pages 412 - 414
Miguel Goncalves Da Costa Palma
Date/Time: 2007/05/07 18H40
General Handyman
Portuguese
He has worked at the OC since 15/03/06 exercising his functions as general handyman, specifically, in the area of maintenance;
His functions are exercised in all types of maintenance necessary for the smooth functioning of living quarters and apartments, such as repairs of damaged materials, small repairs, etc.
Previously he worked as a Head Waiter in a pension, in Fortaleza do Beliche, situated in Cabo de Sao Vicente, Sagres, where he worked for 13 years, until the restaurant closed down. Upon finding himself unemployed, he applied for work at the Ocean Club, and at other locations. After a while, the O C contacted him to begin work as a multi-purpose handyman.
He signed a contract for a one year term, and it was renewed.
In his functions, he carries out the necessary maintenance for the entire OC resort and duties are assigned by the Head of Maintenance, Mr. Nuno Conceicao, or in his absence, his duties are written in the service notes.
In order to carry out his functions, he has access to all the living quarters and apartments of the Ocean Club resort, with the exception of the private apartments, which, although they are located within the resort, their maintenance is carried out by the apartment owners.
He begins work at 09H00, meeting with the rest of his colleagues in the maintenance garage, and at that time service notes are distributed by the maintenance supervisor, or in his absence are passed by other colleagues.
His working day begins at 09H00 until 13H00 and from 14H00 to 18H00.
The keys to the living quarters and apartments that are under the responsibility of the Ocean Club, and are kept inside a safe in the Maintenance Garage, the access code to the safe is known by all maintenance workers.
The keys are only taken from the safe when it is necessary to carry out a service, in this case a service request exists, which is registered in the name of the maintenance worker and indicates the time spent and which is given to the Director of Maintenance Services, Mrs. Silvia.
He knows about the situation that occurred at the Ocean Club, with regard to the disappearance of a child, having been informed via telephone by his supervisor at 08H00 on the 04/05/07.
After finding out what happened, he arrived at work at 09H00, and was told by the Head of Maintenance to go to the apartment blocks in the Ocean Garden in order to, together with other resort workers, hand out leaflets referring to the girl’s disappearance. The leaflets he distributed did not have the girl’s photograph on them. The leaflets were distributed all over the resort located in Luz, Lagos.
Afterwards, some of them went to search around the pools and grassy areas in the hope of finding the child.
That after this he went for lunch and carried out some service functions, having left for Lagos in order to collect material for the repair of a living quarter and toward the end of the afternoon went to paint room number 26 – COT Garden, finishing work at 18H00.
On the day of the girl’s disappearance, 03/05/07, he arrived at work at 09H00, having carried out some service requests, but does not remember the places and refers to the fact that these details are noted on the service requests.
During the afternoon, he varnished a room door, number 26 – COT Garden;
He finished work at 18H20, and left the Ocean Club resort, heading for Burgau, in the company of a colleague, Tiago, and after that went home.
He did not see anything abnormal on 03/05/07, nor did any colleagues comment upon anything unusual. He is unaware of any detail or information regarding the disappearance of the child, nor does he have any information that could help in locating her nor does he know anyone having such information.
Nothing more said, having read the statement finds it in conformity and signs it.
Processos
Volume II
Pages 341- 343
Jose Duarte Nunes de Oliva Novo
Date/Time: 2007/05/07 11H00
Account Manager/Accountant
Portuguese
Since the age of 18, he has worked in the tourist complex known as the Ocean Club, situated at 44 Rua Direita, Praia da Luz, Luz, Lagos, as an accountant. The place of his work is in the reception offices of the complex.
With relation to the events under investigation, the witness notes that on May 03, 2007, (Thursday), at around 23H00, at home, in Ramalhete, Casa ***, Praia da Luz, Luz, Lagos, situated close to the OC resort, he noticed “much movement and traffic that was out of the ordinary,” outside (vehicles and individuals passing by frequently) for that time of night. For this reason, he went to look out of his window. Whilst this was happening, he noticed a colleague, Joao Carlos Batista (Head of Maintenance at the resort) standing next to his house, who told him what had happened. Joao told him that a child staying at the tourist complex had disappeared.
He assumed that there was nothing unusual about the disappearance and that the child would appear shortly and re-entered his home where he remained until 08H00 the following day (04 May 2007);
On that day (04 May 2007), at around 08H00, the witness’ superior (George Robin Crossland) went to his home, asking him to compose a “document” in Portuguese informing of the disappearance of the female child from the resort, for distribution to the nearby population.
It was only at this moment that the witness understood the gravity of the situation, having been informed that the missing child had not been found since 22H00 the following day (03 May 2007). This child was female, her name was Madeleine, she was three years of age, of British nationality, and was staying, together with her parents and siblings, in an apartment block 5 (Water Side Gardens) at the Ocean Club establishment;
The witness immediately proceeded to do what had been requested, having gone to his place of work, where he produced the “document” translated from a missive, written in English that had been handed to him by George Crossland.
The witness did not know the child in question or the rest of her family or group and only saw Madeleine and her family after the disappearance in the media.
On the day of the disappearance, he worked according to his normal routine and arrived at his office at about 09H30, had lunch at around 13H00 and returned at 14H30 remaining at work until 18H00. Afterwards, he went to Portimão in his car, where he took his mother for an appointment at Alvor Hospital. He returned home alone at about 21H30, after having dined in Alvor and remained at home until the following day.
With regard to the events under investigation he only knows of the events from what he has heard from the media and from conversations with his colleagues. He has nothing else to add different to what has already been stated, what has already been recorded, the child was on holiday with her parents and siblings.
He is not aware of any suspicious activity, whether directly or indirectly related that could help the investigation.
Processos Vol VII
Pages 1835 – 1837
Witness Statement
George Robin Crossland
Date 2007/06/20
Location: Praia da Luz
He comes to the process as a witness and is helped by an interpreter.
With relation to his previous statements, when questioned he wishes to add that the negotiations with regard to the selling of the Ocean Club began in January 2006, involving as selling parties, himself, David Symington and John Garveigh, who are all partners in a company called Luz Oceano II – Exploração Turística Lda, this company being the owner of the administrative rights of the different factions that make up the resort.
This firm is registered at the Lagos CRC with the number NIPC 501969969.
The management of the assets was done by a company with the same partners called Luz Oceano – Administração de Condominios SA, registered at the same CRC (Conservatória do Registro Comercial) with the number NIPC 501614710.
The is a third company called George Propiedades S.A with NIPC number 504280767 which has the effective ownership of some of the apartments in the resort, this being the company which, through its legal representatives, can celebrate legal negotiations of buying and selling property.
Because of the advanced age of two of the witness’s partners and considering that he also has the intention of withdrawing himself from active life, came the joint decision by all the partners to make known their intention of proceeding to sell the resort to a guest during a dinner at the witness’s house. He only remembers the first name of this person was Andrew who once saw a friend of the witness, telling him that he perhaps remembered a company interested in the resort, in this case Mark Warner. During the first days of January last year, the witness received a telephone call from Mark Chitty, a partner in that company with a 50% share, who showed interest in visiting the resort for a first visit, which occurred, the visitor having shown interest in acquiring the resort.
The other Mark Warner partner is also British (English), called Andrew Searle and who holds the remaining share of the capital.
Negotiations took almost one year and culminated with the sale of the companies Luz Oceano and Luz Oceano II as well as a rental contract being celebrated for ten years of 27 apartments owned by George Propiedades.
In the purchasing capacity a company called European Leisure Holdings Ltd intervened in the whole negotiation, taken on by the two Mark Warner partners previously identified, being the purchaser and retained by MW, although by indirect means.
The creation of the Green Trust company was due to the fact that it was necessary to establish a company in Portugal for logistical and fiscal reasons.
The witness is not a partner in any Greentrust shares, as at the moment he has the function of administrator, for a minimum period of two years, a clause agreed with the purchaser, in the sense that the witness will pass on these functions to someone of his trust in the future.
The situation is verified by the will of the purchasing company to benefit from the witness’s know-how.
The sale of the companies Luz Oceano and Luz Oceano II provided the three partners with a total of 1.85 million Euros, distributed according to their quotas, the witness holds 30%, the others hold 35% each.
This value has not yet been fully paid out, the partners received 25% of the amount agreed upon signing the contract, 25% was paid in July of this year, the rest will be paid over the next 5 years, beginning on 1st May 2009, in eight successive instalments for the value of seventy eight thousand, one hundred and twenty five euros.
With regard to the rental agreement with George Propiedades, this legal negotiation presents values of 328.00,00 euros per year for a total of ten years.
According to what the witness remembers, the contract celebrated can only be denounced if the selling party’s tourist operation licence is cancelled.
With regard to the disappearance of Madeleine, the witness has nothing to add to his previous statement.
He says no more. Reads, ratifies and signs.
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Processos Vol III
Pages 543 544
Witness statement
Date: 2007/05/08
Jose Manuel Ferreira da Costa Rodrigues
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
The witness is an employee of the gardening section of the OC resort, having worked there for 9 years, he is in charge of all the gardening jobs, especially those in the leisure areas of the Luz ocean Club, located 500 m from the resort where the apartment where the events occurred is located.
The past week was calm, he did not notice any strange occurrences or individual in the area.
As regards the family of the missing girl – he had no contact with them.
As his place is at a distance from the place where the vents occurred, he only heard about the disappearance on Friday.
He has nothing else pertinent to add.
Reads, ratifies and signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 555 – 556
Witness Statement
Date: 2007/05/08
Mario Fernando Madeira Marreiros
Occupation: Laundry worker
Place of Work: OC
He has worked at the OC since the 5th March 2007 as a laundry worker as well as the driver of the laundry vehicles of the resort, delivering and collecting laundry (towels and sheets) from the apartments that make up the resort.
With relation to the events being investigated he states that on 4th May 2007, upon arriving at work at about 10.00 he saw that next to an apartment block there were various cars and police as well as members of the press, which he found strange.
Later, when he arrived at his place of work he was informed by colleagues that this “apparatus” was due to the disappearance of a little girl who had been staying at the resort.
He was informed that the girl was three years old, of British nationality and he observed that posters with her photograph and details were already up, with indications to follow in the case of information about her disappearance.
When questioned he said that he did not know the girl or her family, only having heard about them after the event.
When questioned about the day of the disappearance (03 May 2007) of the girl whose name he does not remember, he says he carried out his normal routine, arriving at his place of work at about 10.00, with a lunch break from 13.00 to 14.30, returning to work until 18.00. After work he returned home where he stayed with his wife until 21.30 when he went alone by car to Barao de Sao Joao, where his step son works.
After having picked up his step son he returned home where he stayed until the following day when he left for work.
He only knew about the events from the press and from his colleagues.
He knows nothing more apart from that the girl was on holiday with her family and twin siblings as he was informed later.
He does not know of anything suspicious that could be related to the events.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 558 – 559
Witness Statement
Isaura Romao Fernandes
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She works at the OC resort, specifically in the Garden Section, Beach 12. Last year she worked at the resort from April to December and this year began work on 2nd April. She works from 08.30 to 17.00 with a break for lunch from 12.00 to 13.00.
When she begins work, she starts by cleaning the façade of the reception until 10.00, then goes to iron in the laundry and then returns to the reception to clean the desks, before returning to the laundry at the end of her working day.
When questioned, she says that she had no contact with the missing girl or her family, only having heard about them from the press.
When questioned she say she saw nothing suspicious nor was asked any questions about the resort or its guests before the disappearance.
The third of May was a normal working day and she only found out about the events on the following day.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Pages 543 544
Witness statement
Date: 2007/05/08
Jose Manuel Ferreira da Costa Rodrigues
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
The witness is an employee of the gardening section of the OC resort, having worked there for 9 years, he is in charge of all the gardening jobs, especially those in the leisure areas of the Luz ocean Club, located 500 m from the resort where the apartment where the events occurred is located.
The past week was calm, he did not notice any strange occurrences or individual in the area.
As regards the family of the missing girl – he had no contact with them.
As his place is at a distance from the place where the vents occurred, he only heard about the disappearance on Friday.
He has nothing else pertinent to add.
Reads, ratifies and signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 555 – 556
Witness Statement
Date: 2007/05/08
Mario Fernando Madeira Marreiros
Occupation: Laundry worker
Place of Work: OC
He has worked at the OC since the 5th March 2007 as a laundry worker as well as the driver of the laundry vehicles of the resort, delivering and collecting laundry (towels and sheets) from the apartments that make up the resort.
With relation to the events being investigated he states that on 4th May 2007, upon arriving at work at about 10.00 he saw that next to an apartment block there were various cars and police as well as members of the press, which he found strange.
Later, when he arrived at his place of work he was informed by colleagues that this “apparatus” was due to the disappearance of a little girl who had been staying at the resort.
He was informed that the girl was three years old, of British nationality and he observed that posters with her photograph and details were already up, with indications to follow in the case of information about her disappearance.
When questioned he said that he did not know the girl or her family, only having heard about them after the event.
When questioned about the day of the disappearance (03 May 2007) of the girl whose name he does not remember, he says he carried out his normal routine, arriving at his place of work at about 10.00, with a lunch break from 13.00 to 14.30, returning to work until 18.00. After work he returned home where he stayed with his wife until 21.30 when he went alone by car to Barao de Sao Joao, where his step son works.
After having picked up his step son he returned home where he stayed until the following day when he left for work.
He only knew about the events from the press and from his colleagues.
He knows nothing more apart from that the girl was on holiday with her family and twin siblings as he was informed later.
He does not know of anything suspicious that could be related to the events.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 558 – 559
Witness Statement
Isaura Romao Fernandes
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She works at the OC resort, specifically in the Garden Section, Beach 12. Last year she worked at the resort from April to December and this year began work on 2nd April. She works from 08.30 to 17.00 with a break for lunch from 12.00 to 13.00.
When she begins work, she starts by cleaning the façade of the reception until 10.00, then goes to iron in the laundry and then returns to the reception to clean the desks, before returning to the laundry at the end of her working day.
When questioned, she says that she had no contact with the missing girl or her family, only having heard about them from the press.
When questioned she say she saw nothing suspicious nor was asked any questions about the resort or its guests before the disappearance.
The third of May was a normal working day and she only found out about the events on the following day.
Reads, ratifies, signs
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Processos Vol III
Pages 562 – 563
Nazaré Conceição Silva Vicente
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She has been employed at the OC resort since May 1995. She is responsible for cleaning maintenance of the apartments. Her working day is from 10.00 to 18.00. She has Sundays and Wednesday afternoons off. She has access to the “Club Face” installations as part of her functions.
When questioned she days she knows about the disappearance, having heard on the Friday morning when she began work. She says that she worked her normal times on the day that Madeleine disappeared.
She had no contact with the family and only heard about them after the events from the press.
She had no strange conversations and noticed nothing abnormal in the days preceding the disappearance.
She has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 567 – 568
Witness Statement
Marta Manuela Leal Russo Rodrigues
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She has worked at the OC for 12 years. In April 2007 she began working in block 4, daily cleaning the rooms in there. She works from 10.00 to 18.00.
The preceding week was calm and she does not recall any incidents or strange people in block 4 or 5.
She says that block 4 is next to a path where many residents and other people pass.
Last Friday when she arrived at work at 09.30 she was informed about the disappearance by colleagues and there were already posters up with photographs of the small girl, whom she now knows to be called Madeleine.
She then went to the laundry where she keeps her working materials and there found out about the events, again observing a photograph of the missing girl. The she was asked to accompany a GNR officer to block 4, to check if the little girl might be there. She was not found there and in the course of her work inside the apartments she did not see anything strange or that would indicate the preparation of the abduction of a child.
She did not have any contact with the girl or her family.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 572 – 573
Witness Statement
Steven Marcos Rodrigues Cova
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Catering Manager
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked at the OC since January 2007. Within his functions he supervises all that is related to the catering in the different restaurants belonging to the resort. His working hours are not fixed but he generally works from 10.00 to 19.00. In the implementation of his functions he circulates through the entire resort, knowing the place relatively well.
When questioned he says he knows about the disappearance of the English girl Madeleine, which he found out about at around 02.00 on the morning of 4th May 2007, by means of a phone call he received from the resort manager, who said he had contacts with a person linked to the local radio station, with the aim of proceeding to spread the news about the girl’s disappearance.
He says that on the day of the girl’s disappearance he worked at the resort until 20.00. He said that he was absent from Portugal between Sunday 29th April and the 2nd May 2007.
He never had any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and heard about them from the press.
He did not see or hear anything strange in the days preceding the disappearance. He has no further information.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Pages 562 – 563
Nazaré Conceição Silva Vicente
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She has been employed at the OC resort since May 1995. She is responsible for cleaning maintenance of the apartments. Her working day is from 10.00 to 18.00. She has Sundays and Wednesday afternoons off. She has access to the “Club Face” installations as part of her functions.
When questioned she days she knows about the disappearance, having heard on the Friday morning when she began work. She says that she worked her normal times on the day that Madeleine disappeared.
She had no contact with the family and only heard about them after the events from the press.
She had no strange conversations and noticed nothing abnormal in the days preceding the disappearance.
She has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 567 – 568
Witness Statement
Marta Manuela Leal Russo Rodrigues
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She has worked at the OC for 12 years. In April 2007 she began working in block 4, daily cleaning the rooms in there. She works from 10.00 to 18.00.
The preceding week was calm and she does not recall any incidents or strange people in block 4 or 5.
She says that block 4 is next to a path where many residents and other people pass.
Last Friday when she arrived at work at 09.30 she was informed about the disappearance by colleagues and there were already posters up with photographs of the small girl, whom she now knows to be called Madeleine.
She then went to the laundry where she keeps her working materials and there found out about the events, again observing a photograph of the missing girl. The she was asked to accompany a GNR officer to block 4, to check if the little girl might be there. She was not found there and in the course of her work inside the apartments she did not see anything strange or that would indicate the preparation of the abduction of a child.
She did not have any contact with the girl or her family.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 572 – 573
Witness Statement
Steven Marcos Rodrigues Cova
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Catering Manager
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked at the OC since January 2007. Within his functions he supervises all that is related to the catering in the different restaurants belonging to the resort. His working hours are not fixed but he generally works from 10.00 to 19.00. In the implementation of his functions he circulates through the entire resort, knowing the place relatively well.
When questioned he says he knows about the disappearance of the English girl Madeleine, which he found out about at around 02.00 on the morning of 4th May 2007, by means of a phone call he received from the resort manager, who said he had contacts with a person linked to the local radio station, with the aim of proceeding to spread the news about the girl’s disappearance.
He says that on the day of the girl’s disappearance he worked at the resort until 20.00. He said that he was absent from Portugal between Sunday 29th April and the 2nd May 2007.
He never had any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and heard about them from the press.
He did not see or hear anything strange in the days preceding the disappearance. He has no further information.
Reads, ratifies, signs
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Processos Vol III
Pages 574 – 575
Witness Statement
Maria Amelia Furtado Pinheiro Gordinho
Date : 2007/05/08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: Ocean Club
She has been employed by the OC for 1 month and has signed an 8 month contract with them. She used to work as a cleaner at the Burgau Hotel and before that at the Quinta da Luz.
She works from 10.00 to 18.00 with a lunch break from 13.00 to 14.30. She has Wednesday afternoons and Sundays off.
She cleans in block 4 opposite to the block the child disappeared from. She heard about the disappearance on Friday morning from the press. When she arrived at work the disappearance was the subject of much talk, but she did not hear anything of interest to the truth being established.
In the days preceding the events, she did not notice anything strange that could have been linked to the disappearance. She did not notice anyone acting strangely. When asked about her social circle, she says she did not hear any comment that could be of interest to the case.
At the time of the disappearance she was at home with her husband and two daughters.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 576 – 577
Witness Statement
Luis Miguel Pinguinha Mendes Furtado
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Control Chief
Place of Work: OC
He has worked at the OC resort for 9 years as Control chief responsible for buying and selling of products and informative means of the different restaurants in the resort (Millenium, Tapas, Top Bar and the adult pool bar) and his normal place of work (desk) is in the Millenium restaurant.
With regards to the events being investigated, he arrived at work (Millenium restaurant) on Friday 4th May at 08.30 where he was informed by colleagues that on the previous night (3rd May) a little girl had disappeared during dinner time, who had disappeared from apartment 5ª.
When questioned he said he did not know the girl or her family.
On 3rd May he worked from 08.30 to 17.40 when he went to Lagos to pick up his daughter from school. He then went home, arriving at about 19.00 where he stayed with his family.
He has nothing to add and did not hear or see anything suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 586 – 587
Witness statement
Luis Miguel de Sousa Barros
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Barman Millenium Restaurant
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked at the Ocean Club for 14 years, always at the Millenium which is the only restaurant in the OC that serves breakfast.
Inside that restaurant and especially at this time of year they only serve lunch on Sundays, called Sunday lunch (typically British), normally serving dinners with the possibility of eating on the terrace or esplanade for serving barbecues on Wednesdays. He does not work shifts and neither does he have fixed hours. His work requires responsibility and he is usually one of the last persons to leave, there being some margin for starting later the following day. Recently, given the scarcity of personnel, he has only had one day off a week. This is always a Thursday, coinciding with the day Madeleine disappeared.
The witness said he was dining with his wife, son and friends in a restaurant in P da L, before 24.00 he received a call to his mobile from the fixed network phone in the Millenium restaurant, informing him about the disappearance.
It was his colleague Nelson who contacted. He was not asked anything in particular, just informed, however he felt that he should go to the resort, which he did immediately, making himself available for whatever was needed. He remembered that there was great panic amongst all the people looking for Madeleine. He helped search, remaining at the OC until 05.00, searching the entire resort. They did not find anything to help locate the child. He was shown a photograph of Madeleine, once they were distributed, not just by the press, but also stuck up around the resort, in shop windows and the windows of cars.
He remembered being in the presence of the group Madeleine belonged to, composed of nine adults and eight children on the 28th April, the day they arrived at the resort. Apart from breakfast, which they would eat every day in the Millenium restaurant, dinner on Saturday night was the only meal they had there because the Tapas bar did not serve dinner on Saturdays. He remembered that Saturdays dinner was a buffet service and that he had been very close to the group, giving them all the necessary indications related to the service. In spite not recalling Madeleine’s exact features, he presumes she was there with the other children present. He did not notice anything particular about the girl, nor was there any difference in the normal tranquillity in spite of the fact that there were 8 children.
He does not remember serving breakfast to the group, given that this would occur before he began work.
When asked he says that on a date he cannot remember, the group, just the adults because the children were dining with the nannies, had been too late in making their dinner reservation at the Tapas, and an exception was made, authorised by his boss Steve, as the Tapas only provides for 20 dinners for half board clients as was the case.
He think that this request was made in order to be close to the children who had their meals with the nannies, and to be close to the apartments.
He has nothing else to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 574 – 575
Witness Statement
Maria Amelia Furtado Pinheiro Gordinho
Date : 2007/05/08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: Ocean Club
She has been employed by the OC for 1 month and has signed an 8 month contract with them. She used to work as a cleaner at the Burgau Hotel and before that at the Quinta da Luz.
She works from 10.00 to 18.00 with a lunch break from 13.00 to 14.30. She has Wednesday afternoons and Sundays off.
She cleans in block 4 opposite to the block the child disappeared from. She heard about the disappearance on Friday morning from the press. When she arrived at work the disappearance was the subject of much talk, but she did not hear anything of interest to the truth being established.
In the days preceding the events, she did not notice anything strange that could have been linked to the disappearance. She did not notice anyone acting strangely. When asked about her social circle, she says she did not hear any comment that could be of interest to the case.
At the time of the disappearance she was at home with her husband and two daughters.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 576 – 577
Witness Statement
Luis Miguel Pinguinha Mendes Furtado
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Control Chief
Place of Work: OC
He has worked at the OC resort for 9 years as Control chief responsible for buying and selling of products and informative means of the different restaurants in the resort (Millenium, Tapas, Top Bar and the adult pool bar) and his normal place of work (desk) is in the Millenium restaurant.
With regards to the events being investigated, he arrived at work (Millenium restaurant) on Friday 4th May at 08.30 where he was informed by colleagues that on the previous night (3rd May) a little girl had disappeared during dinner time, who had disappeared from apartment 5ª.
When questioned he said he did not know the girl or her family.
On 3rd May he worked from 08.30 to 17.40 when he went to Lagos to pick up his daughter from school. He then went home, arriving at about 19.00 where he stayed with his family.
He has nothing to add and did not hear or see anything suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 586 – 587
Witness statement
Luis Miguel de Sousa Barros
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Barman Millenium Restaurant
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked at the Ocean Club for 14 years, always at the Millenium which is the only restaurant in the OC that serves breakfast.
Inside that restaurant and especially at this time of year they only serve lunch on Sundays, called Sunday lunch (typically British), normally serving dinners with the possibility of eating on the terrace or esplanade for serving barbecues on Wednesdays. He does not work shifts and neither does he have fixed hours. His work requires responsibility and he is usually one of the last persons to leave, there being some margin for starting later the following day. Recently, given the scarcity of personnel, he has only had one day off a week. This is always a Thursday, coinciding with the day Madeleine disappeared.
The witness said he was dining with his wife, son and friends in a restaurant in P da L, before 24.00 he received a call to his mobile from the fixed network phone in the Millenium restaurant, informing him about the disappearance.
It was his colleague Nelson who contacted. He was not asked anything in particular, just informed, however he felt that he should go to the resort, which he did immediately, making himself available for whatever was needed. He remembered that there was great panic amongst all the people looking for Madeleine. He helped search, remaining at the OC until 05.00, searching the entire resort. They did not find anything to help locate the child. He was shown a photograph of Madeleine, once they were distributed, not just by the press, but also stuck up around the resort, in shop windows and the windows of cars.
He remembered being in the presence of the group Madeleine belonged to, composed of nine adults and eight children on the 28th April, the day they arrived at the resort. Apart from breakfast, which they would eat every day in the Millenium restaurant, dinner on Saturday night was the only meal they had there because the Tapas bar did not serve dinner on Saturdays. He remembered that Saturdays dinner was a buffet service and that he had been very close to the group, giving them all the necessary indications related to the service. In spite not recalling Madeleine’s exact features, he presumes she was there with the other children present. He did not notice anything particular about the girl, nor was there any difference in the normal tranquillity in spite of the fact that there were 8 children.
He does not remember serving breakfast to the group, given that this would occur before he began work.
When asked he says that on a date he cannot remember, the group, just the adults because the children were dining with the nannies, had been too late in making their dinner reservation at the Tapas, and an exception was made, authorised by his boss Steve, as the Tapas only provides for 20 dinners for half board clients as was the case.
He think that this request was made in order to be close to the children who had their meals with the nannies, and to be close to the apartments.
He has nothing else to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Processos Vol III
Pages 723 – 725
Witness Statement
Date: 2007/05/07
Stefan Kotsev Todorov
Occupation: Car painter/ Waiter
Place of Work: Oficina Vasco da Gama Lagos & Ocean Club
Has worked at the OC since 31/03/2007 part-time, he works four hours a day as a waiter. He works every day from 20.00 – 24.00 and has Sundays off.
As a waiter he always begins work at the Club’s swimming pool, tidying the chairs around the pool and collecting the rubbish bags. Then he goes to the restaurant kitchen where he begins to do the washing up and tasks connected with the preparation of meals.
He does not have contact with the restaurant’s clients, from the moment he enters the kitchen he remains there until the restaurant is closed at 24.00. He only has contact with clients and sees them when he is doing his rounds of the pool.
The previous year he also worked at the OC restaurant for a period of six months, doing the same work.
He regularly works as a car painter in the Vasco da Gama office in Lagos. He has worked there for almost one year. He begins work at 09.00 and finishes at 18.00, on Fridays he works from 08.30 to 18.30 and for the other days of the week except for Saturdays and Sundays, he works from 08.30 to 18.00.
He has been in Portugal since November 2002, always working in the Algarve and resident in Lagos, two and a half years ago he moved house to Almádena – Lagos.
He knows what happened in the OC with regards to the disappearance of the small girl, having heard about it from other restaurant employees on the day it occurred.
On 03/05/2007 he was working in the kitchen carrying out the functions described previously, he did not know whether the parents were inside the restaurant or at what table, all the information he received was from colleagues who were outside.
He did not see or hear anything strange during the days preceding the disappearance.
He said that one week before the incident, there had been a robbery (assault) in a room in the lots next to the restaurant, a fact he knows from his colleagues.
He does not tend to walk around the OC as he does not have much time because he has two jobs.
He did not know of the girl or her family prior to the disappearance, only seeing photos in the press.
He does not know anything about the disappearance or have any information.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 584 – 585
Witness Statement
Luisa Maria Cámara Todorov
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Waitress
Place of Work: OC Millenium Restaurant.
She works as a waitress in the Millenium Restaurant at the OC, commonly known as the “Club”. She says that this place is about 500 metres away from the apartment block where the events occurred.
She works from 10.00 to 18.00 except for Sundays and Mondays, her functions include washing up, tidying up and other kitchen duties.
Most of the clients who frequent the restaurant are foreigners, especially British guests who stay at the OC:
When questioned she says that she does not have a clear image of the girl’s parents, only having briefly caught sight of them inside the restaurant.
She did not see any suspicious behaviour on the part of anyone that would indicate that a criminal act was being prepared.
She heard about the events on the night in question, when her husband – who works in the same restaurant as the witness – told her that he had heard that a small girl had disappeared from the resort. On the following day in the restaurant, she was informed by colleagues about the events as well as from television news, which confirmed that it was the girl whom she had seen in the restaurant.
She has nothing to say about the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 723 – 725
Witness Statement
Date: 2007/05/07
Stefan Kotsev Todorov
Occupation: Car painter/ Waiter
Place of Work: Oficina Vasco da Gama Lagos & Ocean Club
Has worked at the OC since 31/03/2007 part-time, he works four hours a day as a waiter. He works every day from 20.00 – 24.00 and has Sundays off.
As a waiter he always begins work at the Club’s swimming pool, tidying the chairs around the pool and collecting the rubbish bags. Then he goes to the restaurant kitchen where he begins to do the washing up and tasks connected with the preparation of meals.
He does not have contact with the restaurant’s clients, from the moment he enters the kitchen he remains there until the restaurant is closed at 24.00. He only has contact with clients and sees them when he is doing his rounds of the pool.
The previous year he also worked at the OC restaurant for a period of six months, doing the same work.
He regularly works as a car painter in the Vasco da Gama office in Lagos. He has worked there for almost one year. He begins work at 09.00 and finishes at 18.00, on Fridays he works from 08.30 to 18.30 and for the other days of the week except for Saturdays and Sundays, he works from 08.30 to 18.00.
He has been in Portugal since November 2002, always working in the Algarve and resident in Lagos, two and a half years ago he moved house to Almádena – Lagos.
He knows what happened in the OC with regards to the disappearance of the small girl, having heard about it from other restaurant employees on the day it occurred.
On 03/05/2007 he was working in the kitchen carrying out the functions described previously, he did not know whether the parents were inside the restaurant or at what table, all the information he received was from colleagues who were outside.
He did not see or hear anything strange during the days preceding the disappearance.
He said that one week before the incident, there had been a robbery (assault) in a room in the lots next to the restaurant, a fact he knows from his colleagues.
He does not tend to walk around the OC as he does not have much time because he has two jobs.
He did not know of the girl or her family prior to the disappearance, only seeing photos in the press.
He does not know anything about the disappearance or have any information.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 584 – 585
Witness Statement
Luisa Maria Cámara Todorov
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Waitress
Place of Work: OC Millenium Restaurant.
She works as a waitress in the Millenium Restaurant at the OC, commonly known as the “Club”. She says that this place is about 500 metres away from the apartment block where the events occurred.
She works from 10.00 to 18.00 except for Sundays and Mondays, her functions include washing up, tidying up and other kitchen duties.
Most of the clients who frequent the restaurant are foreigners, especially British guests who stay at the OC:
When questioned she says that she does not have a clear image of the girl’s parents, only having briefly caught sight of them inside the restaurant.
She did not see any suspicious behaviour on the part of anyone that would indicate that a criminal act was being prepared.
She heard about the events on the night in question, when her husband – who works in the same restaurant as the witness – told her that he had heard that a small girl had disappeared from the resort. On the following day in the restaurant, she was informed by colleagues about the events as well as from television news, which confirmed that it was the girl whom she had seen in the restaurant.
She has nothing to say about the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Processos Vol III
Pages 594 – 595
Witness Statement
Catia Sofía da Costa
Date: 2007/05/01 (must be a typo)
Occupation: Waitress
Place of Work: Ocean Club
She has worked at the OC for 2 months and works as a waitress in the kitchen of the Millenium restaurant.
She begins work at 09.30 and finishes at 18.00, her main task is washing up.
She heard about the events from the television. It was only two days later (her day off being Friday) that she heard more comments about the disappearance when she returned to work.
She works in the kitchen, which means that she does not have contact with the clients.
When asked, she states that she begins work at 09.30 covering breakfast time, which is served until 10.00. She never saw any members of the group of British guests the little girl belonged to. She does not know anything about the disappearance or know where the apartment was where the family was staying. She says that the Millenium restaurant is a few hundred metres away from the centre of the LOC resort and she does not have to pass through the resort in order to enter her place of work. She has only worked at the OC for 2 months. Because of this she does not know about the functioning of the resort and has practically no information about what occurred there previously. But as far as she knows this is the first time that a child has disappeared from the resort. She has no knowledge of any other type of crime having occurred there – whether robberies, thefts or crimes of a sexual nature. She never heard about any strange situations, never saw or heard any suspicious people or unusual movements by cars.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 596 - 597
Witness Statement
Ecaterina Dobrioglo
Date : 2007/05/08
Occupation: Restaurant worker
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant
Although of Moldovian nationality, she speaks Portuguese perfectly and does not need an interpreter.
She has been employed as a kitchen helper in the Millenium restaurant since 27th March
This establishment is used by clients staying at the OC, mainly for breakfast and dinner.
She works what is known as the breakfast shift, from 07.00 until 15.30.
When questioned she says that she does not remember the family of Madeleine McCann although they were regular users of the restaurant where she worked, because her functions did not imply direct contact with the guests.
She never noticed the presence of anyone with strange behaviour towards children or see anything suspicious.
With respect to the date of the disappearance – 3rd May – this was her day off (she has Wednesdays and Thursdays off) and she only returned to work on the following day – 4th May.
She only found out about what had happened when she arrived at work and was informed by colleagues.
Because of this she did not know much about the events, only from what she heard from third parties.
She did not hear or see anything relevant to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 600 – 601
Witness Statement
Joan Brenda Smith de Azevedo Coutinho
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Secretary to the Director
Place of Work: Ocean Club
She works as Secretary to the director at the OC. She has been employed by the OC since 2000 and held the same function for twenty years in Lagos for the same company that constructed the OC – “Apartamento – Sociedade de Construcção SA”.
She works from 09.30 to 13.00 and sometimes, when there is much work, from 14.30 – 18.00 seeing as she provides all secretarial assistance to the director of the OC.
She said she does not have contact with the clients and does not know Madeleine’s parents.
On Wednesday of last week she went to Lisbon and returned on Saturday and therefore was not at the resort on the day of the events.
When asked, she said she did not see or hear anyone or anything strange. Nobody questioned her about the functioning of the resort or about the type of guests staying there.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 594 – 595
Witness Statement
Catia Sofía da Costa
Date: 2007/05/01 (must be a typo)
Occupation: Waitress
Place of Work: Ocean Club
She has worked at the OC for 2 months and works as a waitress in the kitchen of the Millenium restaurant.
She begins work at 09.30 and finishes at 18.00, her main task is washing up.
She heard about the events from the television. It was only two days later (her day off being Friday) that she heard more comments about the disappearance when she returned to work.
She works in the kitchen, which means that she does not have contact with the clients.
When asked, she states that she begins work at 09.30 covering breakfast time, which is served until 10.00. She never saw any members of the group of British guests the little girl belonged to. She does not know anything about the disappearance or know where the apartment was where the family was staying. She says that the Millenium restaurant is a few hundred metres away from the centre of the LOC resort and she does not have to pass through the resort in order to enter her place of work. She has only worked at the OC for 2 months. Because of this she does not know about the functioning of the resort and has practically no information about what occurred there previously. But as far as she knows this is the first time that a child has disappeared from the resort. She has no knowledge of any other type of crime having occurred there – whether robberies, thefts or crimes of a sexual nature. She never heard about any strange situations, never saw or heard any suspicious people or unusual movements by cars.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 596 - 597
Witness Statement
Ecaterina Dobrioglo
Date : 2007/05/08
Occupation: Restaurant worker
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant
Although of Moldovian nationality, she speaks Portuguese perfectly and does not need an interpreter.
She has been employed as a kitchen helper in the Millenium restaurant since 27th March
This establishment is used by clients staying at the OC, mainly for breakfast and dinner.
She works what is known as the breakfast shift, from 07.00 until 15.30.
When questioned she says that she does not remember the family of Madeleine McCann although they were regular users of the restaurant where she worked, because her functions did not imply direct contact with the guests.
She never noticed the presence of anyone with strange behaviour towards children or see anything suspicious.
With respect to the date of the disappearance – 3rd May – this was her day off (she has Wednesdays and Thursdays off) and she only returned to work on the following day – 4th May.
She only found out about what had happened when she arrived at work and was informed by colleagues.
Because of this she did not know much about the events, only from what she heard from third parties.
She did not hear or see anything relevant to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 600 – 601
Witness Statement
Joan Brenda Smith de Azevedo Coutinho
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Secretary to the Director
Place of Work: Ocean Club
She works as Secretary to the director at the OC. She has been employed by the OC since 2000 and held the same function for twenty years in Lagos for the same company that constructed the OC – “Apartamento – Sociedade de Construcção SA”.
She works from 09.30 to 13.00 and sometimes, when there is much work, from 14.30 – 18.00 seeing as she provides all secretarial assistance to the director of the OC.
She said she does not have contact with the clients and does not know Madeleine’s parents.
On Wednesday of last week she went to Lisbon and returned on Saturday and therefore was not at the resort on the day of the events.
When asked, she said she did not see or hear anyone or anything strange. Nobody questioned her about the functioning of the resort or about the type of guests staying there.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Processos Vol III
Pages 642 – 643
Witness Statement
David Miguel Marino Barroso
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Apprentice waiter
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has been employed as an apprentice waiter at the OC since April this year. Within the resort he works at the Tapas restaurant from 09.30 to 17.00 and has Mondays and Tuesdays off. His functions within the resort are limited to the Tapas Restaurant, including the esplanade and the pool.
When questioned, he says that he has heard about the disappearance, he heard about it on Friday 4th May in the morning, when he arrived at the resort to start work. On 3rd May he worked until 17.00 when he left for home.
When questioned, the witness says that he has the impression that he saw Madeleine’s father at the bar in the Tapas restaurant during the days before her disappearance. With regard to the girl and the rest of her family he does not remember having seen them before, and thinks he only saw them on press reports following the disappearance.
He says that he did not hear of any strange conversations related to tourists or their children during the days prior to the disappearance or concerning the functioning of the resort.
He did not notice any strange behaviour from people in the resort and nothing drew his attention to the cars in the resort.
He has no information relevant to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 644 – 645
Witness Statement
Aritson Henrique Soares Santos Lúcio
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Restaurant employee
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He works as a waiter/kitchen helper in the Tapas restaurant in the OC resort. He has worked there since the 19th March 2007.
He says that in the exercise of his functions within the kitchen he doe not come into contact with clients.
His hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 without a lunch break, every day except for Wednesdays and Saturdays which are his days off.
He has nothing to add regarding the events being investigated.
But he says that until the press released information and pictures he had never seen the McCann family before.
On the day of the events, he worked as usual and at about 18.00 returned to his home where he stayed with his girlfriends Catia Costa.
He found out about the events when he arrived at work the following day.
He saw nothing strange and has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 646 647
Witness Statement
Antonio Manuel Ginjeira
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Chef
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked as a chef at the OC for two months and has a 9 month work contract. He returned to work after having spent one month in Portimao hospital with health problems.
With regard to his functions his hours are flexible taking into account its characteristics and the days off of the rest of the team, his place of work is essentially in the central kitchen of the resort, situated next to the Mirage restaurant. He does not carry out activities in any of the other kitchens in the resort, although he has perhaps entered them on occasions.
On the day of the events he was working and left between 21.00 and 22.00, he does not know precisely at what time. When he left, in a dark blue Volkswagen Golf, he does not remember the number plate, but from the year 1999, which was parked next to the reception of the same restaurant, he drove down the road, taking the first left in the direction of Odiaxere. When he arrived there, he did what he always does after work and entered a café, he does not remember its name, but the owner is Mr Angostinho, where he had a few drinks. At about 23.00/23.30 he left the café and went home where he stayed with his girlfriend.
He only heard about the disappearance the following day from the media.
Given the nature of his work and that this takes place in a restricted area, not having contact with clients, he says that he has never seen the family before.
When he began work on Friday at about 11.00, the disappearance was the theme of conversations.
He saw nobody suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Pages 642 – 643
Witness Statement
David Miguel Marino Barroso
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Apprentice waiter
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has been employed as an apprentice waiter at the OC since April this year. Within the resort he works at the Tapas restaurant from 09.30 to 17.00 and has Mondays and Tuesdays off. His functions within the resort are limited to the Tapas Restaurant, including the esplanade and the pool.
When questioned, he says that he has heard about the disappearance, he heard about it on Friday 4th May in the morning, when he arrived at the resort to start work. On 3rd May he worked until 17.00 when he left for home.
When questioned, the witness says that he has the impression that he saw Madeleine’s father at the bar in the Tapas restaurant during the days before her disappearance. With regard to the girl and the rest of her family he does not remember having seen them before, and thinks he only saw them on press reports following the disappearance.
He says that he did not hear of any strange conversations related to tourists or their children during the days prior to the disappearance or concerning the functioning of the resort.
He did not notice any strange behaviour from people in the resort and nothing drew his attention to the cars in the resort.
He has no information relevant to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 644 – 645
Witness Statement
Aritson Henrique Soares Santos Lúcio
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Restaurant employee
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He works as a waiter/kitchen helper in the Tapas restaurant in the OC resort. He has worked there since the 19th March 2007.
He says that in the exercise of his functions within the kitchen he doe not come into contact with clients.
His hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 without a lunch break, every day except for Wednesdays and Saturdays which are his days off.
He has nothing to add regarding the events being investigated.
But he says that until the press released information and pictures he had never seen the McCann family before.
On the day of the events, he worked as usual and at about 18.00 returned to his home where he stayed with his girlfriends Catia Costa.
He found out about the events when he arrived at work the following day.
He saw nothing strange and has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 646 647
Witness Statement
Antonio Manuel Ginjeira
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Chef
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked as a chef at the OC for two months and has a 9 month work contract. He returned to work after having spent one month in Portimao hospital with health problems.
With regard to his functions his hours are flexible taking into account its characteristics and the days off of the rest of the team, his place of work is essentially in the central kitchen of the resort, situated next to the Mirage restaurant. He does not carry out activities in any of the other kitchens in the resort, although he has perhaps entered them on occasions.
On the day of the events he was working and left between 21.00 and 22.00, he does not know precisely at what time. When he left, in a dark blue Volkswagen Golf, he does not remember the number plate, but from the year 1999, which was parked next to the reception of the same restaurant, he drove down the road, taking the first left in the direction of Odiaxere. When he arrived there, he did what he always does after work and entered a café, he does not remember its name, but the owner is Mr Angostinho, where he had a few drinks. At about 23.00/23.30 he left the café and went home where he stayed with his girlfriend.
He only heard about the disappearance the following day from the media.
Given the nature of his work and that this takes place in a restricted area, not having contact with clients, he says that he has never seen the family before.
When he began work on Friday at about 11.00, the disappearance was the theme of conversations.
He saw nobody suspicious.
Reads, ratifies, signs
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Processos Vol III
Pages 648 – 649
Witness Statement
David José Araújo Veloso dos Santos
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Restaurant employee
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant
He has worked as a waiter in the Millenium Restaurant since 12th March of this year.
The establishment is used by guests staying at the OC resort particularly at breakfast and dinner times.
When questioned he says he remembers the family of Madeleine McCann, who used the restaurant where he works once on Saturday 28th April, but he adds that he did not have any conversation with them.
When questioned about the relationship between the parents and the children, he says that he did not really notice, but that he was given to believe that there was nothing strange about it.
He says that at no moment did he notice anyone with strange behaviour as regards the children or anything that appeared suspicious to him.
Concerning the events being investigated, when he was working his normal shift from 16.00 to 24.00 an individual, tall and of British nationality, appeared in the restaurant at about 22.30/22.45, who asked him whether he had seen a little girl who had disappeared, describing her as blonde and three years old and that she was probably wearing pyjamas.
The witness and his colleague, Maria de Fátima, replied that they hadn’t, upon which the individual ran out.
When questioned, the witness said that he did not participate in the searches that took place that night, but went home at about 24.00 when he finished work.
He knew about the investigation from the media. He has nothing else to say.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 650 – 652
Witness Statement
Válter Manuel de Freitas Mendes
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Barman
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant, Top Bar
He has worked at the OC for almost 3 years. He carries out his activities as Barman in the Top Bar as well as the Millenium restaurant pools that belong to the OC. He has fixed working hours from 10.00 to 18.00. He does not have a defined lunch hour, however when he has the opportunity he takes half an hour's break to eat something, without leaving the site. He has Sundays and Mondays off. Had has observed the photographs of the missing English girl, and says that he saw nothing.
The only time when they could have crossed each other would be at breakfast, however breakfast is served until 10.00, precisely the time when he starts work. He never saw the group that Madeleine belonged to, presuming they never used the pool of the bar where he worked. If this would have happened, he would surely have noticed them as they were a large group.
He heard about Madeleine’s disappearance on the 4th May from colleagues. In spite of the delicate nature of the subject he tries to abstain himself from the numerous comments that curious people offer about the motives associated with Madeleine’s disappearance. When asked whether he knows anything that might help locate the girl, he replies that he does not. When asked if he noticed any strange behaviour on the part of anyone, he replies that he did not.
He does not know exactly where the events occurred, but has the idea that it was near to the Tapas.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 659 – 660
Witness Statement
Antonio Joaquim da Conceicão
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He is a gardener and has worked for the OC for almost 9 years. As regards his functions he works from 08.00 to 17.00, with an hour for lunch at 13.00. Days off are flexible. He adds that the place of his work is essentially the OC reception area, next to the Mirage restaurant. In other words, quite far from the place the girl disappeared from.
He states that the first time he saw the girl’s parents was from the media on 4th May. It was by this means that he found out. He says that on the day of the events, 3rd May he worked until 17.00. He returned home, accompanied as usual by his son Sergio, who works in the same sector and for the same company.
In the days preceding the disappearance he saw nobody/nothing strange that could be related to the events. He did not see anyone with strange behaviour and he has heard nothing in his social sphere that could be of interest to the case.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Pages 648 – 649
Witness Statement
David José Araújo Veloso dos Santos
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Restaurant employee
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant
He has worked as a waiter in the Millenium Restaurant since 12th March of this year.
The establishment is used by guests staying at the OC resort particularly at breakfast and dinner times.
When questioned he says he remembers the family of Madeleine McCann, who used the restaurant where he works once on Saturday 28th April, but he adds that he did not have any conversation with them.
When questioned about the relationship between the parents and the children, he says that he did not really notice, but that he was given to believe that there was nothing strange about it.
He says that at no moment did he notice anyone with strange behaviour as regards the children or anything that appeared suspicious to him.
Concerning the events being investigated, when he was working his normal shift from 16.00 to 24.00 an individual, tall and of British nationality, appeared in the restaurant at about 22.30/22.45, who asked him whether he had seen a little girl who had disappeared, describing her as blonde and three years old and that she was probably wearing pyjamas.
The witness and his colleague, Maria de Fátima, replied that they hadn’t, upon which the individual ran out.
When questioned, the witness said that he did not participate in the searches that took place that night, but went home at about 24.00 when he finished work.
He knew about the investigation from the media. He has nothing else to say.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 650 – 652
Witness Statement
Válter Manuel de Freitas Mendes
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Barman
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant, Top Bar
He has worked at the OC for almost 3 years. He carries out his activities as Barman in the Top Bar as well as the Millenium restaurant pools that belong to the OC. He has fixed working hours from 10.00 to 18.00. He does not have a defined lunch hour, however when he has the opportunity he takes half an hour's break to eat something, without leaving the site. He has Sundays and Mondays off. Had has observed the photographs of the missing English girl, and says that he saw nothing.
The only time when they could have crossed each other would be at breakfast, however breakfast is served until 10.00, precisely the time when he starts work. He never saw the group that Madeleine belonged to, presuming they never used the pool of the bar where he worked. If this would have happened, he would surely have noticed them as they were a large group.
He heard about Madeleine’s disappearance on the 4th May from colleagues. In spite of the delicate nature of the subject he tries to abstain himself from the numerous comments that curious people offer about the motives associated with Madeleine’s disappearance. When asked whether he knows anything that might help locate the girl, he replies that he does not. When asked if he noticed any strange behaviour on the part of anyone, he replies that he did not.
He does not know exactly where the events occurred, but has the idea that it was near to the Tapas.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 659 – 660
Witness Statement
Antonio Joaquim da Conceicão
Date: 2007/05/08
Occupation: Gardener
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He is a gardener and has worked for the OC for almost 9 years. As regards his functions he works from 08.00 to 17.00, with an hour for lunch at 13.00. Days off are flexible. He adds that the place of his work is essentially the OC reception area, next to the Mirage restaurant. In other words, quite far from the place the girl disappeared from.
He states that the first time he saw the girl’s parents was from the media on 4th May. It was by this means that he found out. He says that on the day of the events, 3rd May he worked until 17.00. He returned home, accompanied as usual by his son Sergio, who works in the same sector and for the same company.
In the days preceding the disappearance he saw nobody/nothing strange that could be related to the events. He did not see anyone with strange behaviour and he has heard nothing in his social sphere that could be of interest to the case.
Reads, ratifies, signs
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Processos Vol III
Page 661 – 662
Witness Statement
Jaime Pedro Oliveira Graça
Date: 2007 – 05 –08
Occupation: Maintenance Worker
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked at the OC since 1991. He is responsible for all maintenance and circulates daily around the resort. He works from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 14.000 to 18.00. He was on holiday from 2nd to 11th May 2007 and went to the OC on 2nd May to collect his pay cheque. He heard about the disappearance on 4th May from watching the news.
He never met the girl or her family and did not see anything suspicious during the days before her disappearance. Has no information.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 665 – 666
Witness Statement
Alexandra Nicole de Sousa
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Waitress
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant, OC
She works as a waitress in the Millenium restaurant, OC. She says that this place is about 500 metres away from the apartment block where the events occurred.
She works from 16.00 to 24.00 daily with the exception of Mondays and Thursdays which are her days off. Her functions are to attend to clients at their tables and on the balcony.
The clients who frequent the restaurant are mainly foreigners, especially British people, staying at the resort.
When asked, she says she recalls the parents of the girl who disappeared as they dined in the restaurant on the day they arrived in Portugal, on a Saturday, she does not remember the date. She say that she remembers the twins, Madeleine’s siblings, but not Madeleine. although she recognises that she must have seen her in the company of her parents.
When asked she says that she did not see anything on the part of anyone that would indicate the preparation of a criminal act.
She heard about the events on the same day at about 22.30 when she was at the restaurant bar where she works, relaxing with her mother and sister. At that moment, a British individual, a tennis instructor entered the restaurant, and told them what had happened, and headed towards the interior of the space where the pool are, looking for the girl.
She says that because she had had some alcoholic drinks, she was not in a condition to participate in the searches. However, her sister did take part in the searches, together with her boyfriend.
On the following day she found out from the news that the girl was the daughter of the McCann couple who had dined at the restaurant where she works.
She has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 667 – 669
Witness Statement
Gustavo Cesar Cabral Campos
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Waiter
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant, OC
He has worked at the Millenium Restaurant since 9th March 2007, near to the apartment where the events occurred.
He says that as he is a waiter he has direct contact with the clients at the restaurant. He works from 16.00 to 24.00 without interruption every day except for Fridays and Saturdays which are his days off.
The place where he works receives guests staying at the resort, mainly of British nationality.
However, he thinks it is possible that people who are not staying at the resort can frequent the restaurant.
When asked if these people can use the areas adjacent to the restaurant (gardens, pools, tennis courts) he does not know whether this is possible.
It is certain that from 18.30/19.00 onwards these leisure area are closed to the public (guests and others).
For security reasons, and given that the restaurant has a receptionist, the entrances of guests are registered and in order to access the spaces adjacent to the restaurant individuals have to show a member card with their name and the apartment where they are staying as well as the dates of arrival and departure from the resort.
Concerning the facts being investigated he says that he has nothing of interest to add.
When questioned, he says that when the events occurred he was working in the restaurant and heard about the disappearance at about 22.30 – 23.00 from a Mark Warner employee (he doesn’t know his name, but he is of English nationality) who, at that moment asked to use a telephone in the bar to make a call as he had received information about the disappearance of the girl on his mobile.
He does not know the concrete terms of the conversation but he is clear that something had happened.
The employee then left the bar/restaurant.
When his shift ended he joined in the searched with his colleague Nelson. He searched until 03.00 AM.
He says that he has nothing to add, he saw nothing strange during the day or on the previous days.
With regard to the McCann family he has nothing to add as he did not have close contact with them.
He say that without being absolutely sure he thinks he saw the couple with their three children inside the restaurant on Monday or Tuesday night, he supposes they were there to eat.
When questioned he says that he is not sure whether they were accompanied by other individuals.
He says that as was the case on other nights, that night was calm and he did not notice anything strange or anyone approaching the couple or their children or taking photographs.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Page 661 – 662
Witness Statement
Jaime Pedro Oliveira Graça
Date: 2007 – 05 –08
Occupation: Maintenance Worker
Place of Work: Ocean Club
He has worked at the OC since 1991. He is responsible for all maintenance and circulates daily around the resort. He works from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 14.000 to 18.00. He was on holiday from 2nd to 11th May 2007 and went to the OC on 2nd May to collect his pay cheque. He heard about the disappearance on 4th May from watching the news.
He never met the girl or her family and did not see anything suspicious during the days before her disappearance. Has no information.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 665 – 666
Witness Statement
Alexandra Nicole de Sousa
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Waitress
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant, OC
She works as a waitress in the Millenium restaurant, OC. She says that this place is about 500 metres away from the apartment block where the events occurred.
She works from 16.00 to 24.00 daily with the exception of Mondays and Thursdays which are her days off. Her functions are to attend to clients at their tables and on the balcony.
The clients who frequent the restaurant are mainly foreigners, especially British people, staying at the resort.
When asked, she says she recalls the parents of the girl who disappeared as they dined in the restaurant on the day they arrived in Portugal, on a Saturday, she does not remember the date. She say that she remembers the twins, Madeleine’s siblings, but not Madeleine. although she recognises that she must have seen her in the company of her parents.
When asked she says that she did not see anything on the part of anyone that would indicate the preparation of a criminal act.
She heard about the events on the same day at about 22.30 when she was at the restaurant bar where she works, relaxing with her mother and sister. At that moment, a British individual, a tennis instructor entered the restaurant, and told them what had happened, and headed towards the interior of the space where the pool are, looking for the girl.
She says that because she had had some alcoholic drinks, she was not in a condition to participate in the searches. However, her sister did take part in the searches, together with her boyfriend.
On the following day she found out from the news that the girl was the daughter of the McCann couple who had dined at the restaurant where she works.
She has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 667 – 669
Witness Statement
Gustavo Cesar Cabral Campos
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Waiter
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant, OC
He has worked at the Millenium Restaurant since 9th March 2007, near to the apartment where the events occurred.
He says that as he is a waiter he has direct contact with the clients at the restaurant. He works from 16.00 to 24.00 without interruption every day except for Fridays and Saturdays which are his days off.
The place where he works receives guests staying at the resort, mainly of British nationality.
However, he thinks it is possible that people who are not staying at the resort can frequent the restaurant.
When asked if these people can use the areas adjacent to the restaurant (gardens, pools, tennis courts) he does not know whether this is possible.
It is certain that from 18.30/19.00 onwards these leisure area are closed to the public (guests and others).
For security reasons, and given that the restaurant has a receptionist, the entrances of guests are registered and in order to access the spaces adjacent to the restaurant individuals have to show a member card with their name and the apartment where they are staying as well as the dates of arrival and departure from the resort.
Concerning the facts being investigated he says that he has nothing of interest to add.
When questioned, he says that when the events occurred he was working in the restaurant and heard about the disappearance at about 22.30 – 23.00 from a Mark Warner employee (he doesn’t know his name, but he is of English nationality) who, at that moment asked to use a telephone in the bar to make a call as he had received information about the disappearance of the girl on his mobile.
He does not know the concrete terms of the conversation but he is clear that something had happened.
The employee then left the bar/restaurant.
When his shift ended he joined in the searched with his colleague Nelson. He searched until 03.00 AM.
He says that he has nothing to add, he saw nothing strange during the day or on the previous days.
With regard to the McCann family he has nothing to add as he did not have close contact with them.
He say that without being absolutely sure he thinks he saw the couple with their three children inside the restaurant on Monday or Tuesday night, he supposes they were there to eat.
When questioned he says that he is not sure whether they were accompanied by other individuals.
He says that as was the case on other nights, that night was calm and he did not notice anything strange or anyone approaching the couple or their children or taking photographs.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Info- Golden Poster
- Number of posts : 767
Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:52
Processos, Volume III
Pages 794 to 795
Witness statement
Paula Cristina da Costa Vieira
Date : 2007.05.09
Time: 12H10
Place: Lagos
Name: Paula Cristina da Costa Vieira
Profession: Cleaning Staff
The witness states that she has worked at the OC resort for about a month from this date, exercising her functions in cleaning around the pool and in the reception of this hotel establishment.
Her normal working hours are from 09H00 and 19H00, with about 30 minutes for lunch, between 13H30 and 14H00.
She adds that her days off are Fridays and Saturdays.
That, as she mainly cleans in the above mentioned areas, her contact with the guests is limited to perhaps observing them in the reception or when using the pools. She adds that she does not understand the English language well.
Further adds that she is the only employee who cleans the reception and that there are two other people who help clean the other areas.
When questioned she states that she has no direct knowledge of the facts of the current investigation.
In fact, she adds that she only became aware of the situation on 04.05.07, Friday, at around 11H00 as she was told by the club receptionist whom she knows only as Monica.
This happened because on Thursday the 3rd of May she finished work at her normal time.
This being the case, she left the OC on Thursday the 3rd of May around 19H00 and went towards her residence indicated above. The next day she was off duty.
She further informs that on this same day, Thursday, she had no information from the news.
When asked, she adds that she knows nothing of the details of the disappearance of the child or any other details of the situation other than those gathered from her colleagues and from the news on Friday.
With respect to the child in question, Madeleine, and her family, the witness adds when she did hear about what happened, she was not able to associate the name with the person in question.
When she saw her photograph, and saw the images of the parents, she did remember having seen them, about two times—the child in question and her family when they were leaving the Millenium Club breakfast (around 9h30/10H00) and only because this was her time to the clean the reception of the establishment.
From these fortuitous encounters, the witness adds that they appeared a perfectly normal family.
She reaffirms that she never had any other contact with the family of the missing child or with the child in question.
She adds that in the days preceding the disappearance of the child, she detected no suspicious situation. She states that she is unaware of any detail or information regarding the disappearance of the child, nor does she possess any information that could help locate her or provide such information.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 758 – 759
Witness Statement
Catia Cristina dos Reis Galvao
Date: 2007 – 05 - 09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked as a cleaner at the resort since 2nd April of this year, and she cleans the “Garden” apartments daily, which are located behind the main reception, she also cleans apartments 16 and 13 A, located next to the laundry. When asked, she say that the apartments located closest to the place where the events occurred are the latter, situated at a distance of 300 metres.
As regards her working hours, she begins at 10.00 and finishes at 18.00, her days off are Sunday and Tuesday afternoons.
When asked, she says she did not notice any suspicious movements by anyone that could indicate they were preparing a criminal act.
When asked, she says she does not know what Madeleine or her parents look like, given that the distance of her normal place of work from the apartments where the events occurred.
On the day of the events she was at home with her family, having worked until 18.00.
On the following morning, when she arrived at work at about 10.00, she was told about the events by her boss and immediately went to the apartments where she worked to see if any abnormal situation had occurred there.
During the day she heard from other colleagues about developments concerning the girl.
The witness said she did not hear any comments that could clarify the motive for the disappearance.
She has no information to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 760 – 761
Witness Statement
Piedade Costa Mendes
Date: 2007 – 05 –09
Occupation: Security Guard
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has been an employee at the OC resort since 1987. Although her work contract describes the functions of security guard, in reality her work consists of the management/maintenance of one of the resort’s swimming pools. Her working hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 with Saturdays and Sundays off.
When asked, she says she has heard about the disappearance of Madeleine, a situation she heard about on Friday 4th May when she dropped her son at the crèche and saw colleagues distributing leaflets with information about the disappearance.
The witness says that during the days before the disappearance she did not have any contact with Madeleine or her family. She only found out who these people were when she saw them on the news.
When asked, the witness says that it is normal to walk frequently to the area adjacent to the location of the apartment the girl disappeared from because she would often have to go and fetch ice for the swimming pool bar or fetch towels from the laundry.
When asked whether she saw anything or anyone strange asking about guests or children or about the functioning of the resort, she says she has no knowledge of this.
She says she is not aware of any of her colleagues having problems of a criminal nature, nor vices. She does not know of any strange people having frequented the resort. She says that a lot of new members of staff have been contracted recently and does not know what kind of people they are.
Concerning other strange incidents at the resort, such as robberies inside the buildings, the witness says that during the winter she heard about a case of robbery but does not know the details.
She has heard nothing that could clarify the disappearance of Madeleine.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 794 to 795
Witness statement
Paula Cristina da Costa Vieira
Date : 2007.05.09
Time: 12H10
Place: Lagos
Name: Paula Cristina da Costa Vieira
Profession: Cleaning Staff
The witness states that she has worked at the OC resort for about a month from this date, exercising her functions in cleaning around the pool and in the reception of this hotel establishment.
Her normal working hours are from 09H00 and 19H00, with about 30 minutes for lunch, between 13H30 and 14H00.
She adds that her days off are Fridays and Saturdays.
That, as she mainly cleans in the above mentioned areas, her contact with the guests is limited to perhaps observing them in the reception or when using the pools. She adds that she does not understand the English language well.
Further adds that she is the only employee who cleans the reception and that there are two other people who help clean the other areas.
When questioned she states that she has no direct knowledge of the facts of the current investigation.
In fact, she adds that she only became aware of the situation on 04.05.07, Friday, at around 11H00 as she was told by the club receptionist whom she knows only as Monica.
This happened because on Thursday the 3rd of May she finished work at her normal time.
This being the case, she left the OC on Thursday the 3rd of May around 19H00 and went towards her residence indicated above. The next day she was off duty.
She further informs that on this same day, Thursday, she had no information from the news.
When asked, she adds that she knows nothing of the details of the disappearance of the child or any other details of the situation other than those gathered from her colleagues and from the news on Friday.
With respect to the child in question, Madeleine, and her family, the witness adds when she did hear about what happened, she was not able to associate the name with the person in question.
When she saw her photograph, and saw the images of the parents, she did remember having seen them, about two times—the child in question and her family when they were leaving the Millenium Club breakfast (around 9h30/10H00) and only because this was her time to the clean the reception of the establishment.
From these fortuitous encounters, the witness adds that they appeared a perfectly normal family.
She reaffirms that she never had any other contact with the family of the missing child or with the child in question.
She adds that in the days preceding the disappearance of the child, she detected no suspicious situation. She states that she is unaware of any detail or information regarding the disappearance of the child, nor does she possess any information that could help locate her or provide such information.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 758 – 759
Witness Statement
Catia Cristina dos Reis Galvao
Date: 2007 – 05 - 09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked as a cleaner at the resort since 2nd April of this year, and she cleans the “Garden” apartments daily, which are located behind the main reception, she also cleans apartments 16 and 13 A, located next to the laundry. When asked, she say that the apartments located closest to the place where the events occurred are the latter, situated at a distance of 300 metres.
As regards her working hours, she begins at 10.00 and finishes at 18.00, her days off are Sunday and Tuesday afternoons.
When asked, she says she did not notice any suspicious movements by anyone that could indicate they were preparing a criminal act.
When asked, she says she does not know what Madeleine or her parents look like, given that the distance of her normal place of work from the apartments where the events occurred.
On the day of the events she was at home with her family, having worked until 18.00.
On the following morning, when she arrived at work at about 10.00, she was told about the events by her boss and immediately went to the apartments where she worked to see if any abnormal situation had occurred there.
During the day she heard from other colleagues about developments concerning the girl.
The witness said she did not hear any comments that could clarify the motive for the disappearance.
She has no information to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 760 – 761
Witness Statement
Piedade Costa Mendes
Date: 2007 – 05 –09
Occupation: Security Guard
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has been an employee at the OC resort since 1987. Although her work contract describes the functions of security guard, in reality her work consists of the management/maintenance of one of the resort’s swimming pools. Her working hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 with Saturdays and Sundays off.
When asked, she says she has heard about the disappearance of Madeleine, a situation she heard about on Friday 4th May when she dropped her son at the crèche and saw colleagues distributing leaflets with information about the disappearance.
The witness says that during the days before the disappearance she did not have any contact with Madeleine or her family. She only found out who these people were when she saw them on the news.
When asked, the witness says that it is normal to walk frequently to the area adjacent to the location of the apartment the girl disappeared from because she would often have to go and fetch ice for the swimming pool bar or fetch towels from the laundry.
When asked whether she saw anything or anyone strange asking about guests or children or about the functioning of the resort, she says she has no knowledge of this.
She says she is not aware of any of her colleagues having problems of a criminal nature, nor vices. She does not know of any strange people having frequented the resort. She says that a lot of new members of staff have been contracted recently and does not know what kind of people they are.
Concerning other strange incidents at the resort, such as robberies inside the buildings, the witness says that during the winter she heard about a case of robbery but does not know the details.
She has heard nothing that could clarify the disappearance of Madeleine.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Info- Golden Poster
- Number of posts : 767
Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:52
Processos Vol III
Pages 798 - 799
Witness Statement
Najoua Chekaya
Date: 2007/06/20
Place: Praia da Luz - Lagos
Occupation: Aerobic Instructor
She comes to the process as a witness.
She worked as an aerobics instructor next to the Millenium Restaurant swimming pool, close to the Tapas restaurant in P da L.
As she does not speak Portuguese, she is assisted by the interpreter, Robert Murat.
Stated that she arrived in Portugal on 21st March 2007 for the first time, having been recruited from England by the Mark Warner company.
She was recruited to give aerobic classes, however she was also asked to carry out a Quiz (game) twice a week (Tuesdays and Sundays) in the Ocean Club Tapas restaurant.
She began her working day at about 08.15 near to the Millenium restaurant until 08.45, then at 09.30 she walked to Lagos from where she returned at about 11.30 and at about 11.45 went for lunch at the Tapas restaurant.
In the afternoon she began work at 15.20 next to the Millenium until 16.15 and then returned to the Tapas restaurant until 17.15 and then to the Millenium restaurant from 17.30 to 18.00. She finished at about 18.15 and returned to the Tapas Bar for dinner and at 21.00 did a kind of quiz with the guests who were having dinner in the restaurant.
She remembers that last Tuesday at the end of the quiz, she was invited to the table of nine guests who asked her to join them for a drink.
She was at their table for about fifteen to twenty minutes and it was there that she met Mdeleine’s father, who directly invited her to the table, however, she does not know whether Madeleine’s mother was also there.
When questioned, she said that they talked of banalities and she did not notice any aspect or behaviour that was out of the ordinary.
When questioned, she said that during the time that she was there Madeleine’s father did not leave the table, neither did any of the other guests, however, during this time one of the chairs was always empty, that of someone who had had dinner and left, not managing to indicate any identifying element about this person.
When questioned, she said she was at the table from about 21.30 to 21.50.
She does not remember anyone from outside the resort having made any questions about the functioning of the Ocean Club, or about any particular service.
When questioned, she said that she had only seen Madeleine once or twice and had merely said hello to her, no more than that.
When questioned, she said that she had never seen anyone suspicious in the vicinity of the Ocean Club.
She knows nothing more about the subject.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 766 – 767
Witness Statement
María de Fátima Rodrigues Bernardo
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness, expressing her intention of making a statement in order to clarify the facts being investigated.
She is a cleaner and has worked at the OC for 3 years.
Her working day begins at 10.00 with a break for lunch from 13.30 to 14.30 and finishes work at 18.00. She normally has Tuesday afternoons and Sundays off.
Regarding her place of work, she is responsible for cleaning the FIJI and DATE blocks, belonging to the Palm Bay group. These blocks are situated opposite the apartment block the girl disappeared from.
She says she heard about the events the day after the disappearance from her colleagues when she started work. When she began work the disappearance was constantly talked about but she did not hear or see anything that could be of interest to the investigation.
On the day of the events, after leaving work, she went as always to collect her 8 year old son from school in P da L and went home afterwards to be with her family, only leaving the following morning.
When asked if she saw anything strange in the apartments where she worked or in the surrounding area on the days preceding the disappearance, she said no.
She did not see anyone with strange behaviour.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 768 – 770
Witness Statement
Natália da Glória Soares Camacho
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC as a cleaner for 8 years.
Her working hours are from 10.00 to 18.00, Sunday is her day off. She also has Tuesday mornings off. On the days she works full time, her lunch break is from 13.30 to 14.30.
When asked, she says that her specific functions are to clean the apartments that are previously allocated to her, she cleans on her own.
When asked, she says that she cleans the apartments near to the Millenium restaurant, 12 apartments that make up the “Club Face”, an area of the resort composed of five blocks, with eleven apartments each.
When asked, she says that her daily routine – and that of her colleagues – is the following: at 10.00 she goes to the laundry next to the Tapas Bar where one of her superiors (Marina, Bernadette or Francisca) gives her the keys of the apartments to be cleaned.
After the morning shift she goes to the laundry again during lunchtime, that is where she and her colleagues eat their lunch.
After lunch she returns to her area of work.
At about 18.00 she returns to the laundry and gives the keys back to the superior in charge.
She says that the keys are kept in special safes for this purpose and when she returns the keys to her superiors they always check that all the keys are there.
During lunchtime, the keys are kept by the cleaners and are not deposited in the safes.
As far as she knows, the laundry only has one copy of each key, thinking that more keys corresponding to the apartments are kept in the reception.
She say that she has nothing relevant to add to the facts being investigated.
She says that she carried out her functions in an area far from the apartment where the McCann family was staying and for this reason never met the family or the girl. She does not remember having seen them in the surroundings areas or in the apartments she cleaned.
She did not see any strange individuals or movements in the days before the disappearance.
She says that there is a lot of movement in the resort and that it would not be easy to see if anything unusual was happening.
She says that on the day of the disappearance she went home after finishing work at 18.00.
She heard about the events on the morning of the 4th May when she arrived at work and was told by her superior.
She said that her superior, who already had photocopies of the girl’s photograph, asked the employees to check the apartments they were cleaning as well as the surrounding areas.
She checked but did not find anything relevant.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 798 - 799
Witness Statement
Najoua Chekaya
Date: 2007/06/20
Place: Praia da Luz - Lagos
Occupation: Aerobic Instructor
She comes to the process as a witness.
She worked as an aerobics instructor next to the Millenium Restaurant swimming pool, close to the Tapas restaurant in P da L.
As she does not speak Portuguese, she is assisted by the interpreter, Robert Murat.
Stated that she arrived in Portugal on 21st March 2007 for the first time, having been recruited from England by the Mark Warner company.
She was recruited to give aerobic classes, however she was also asked to carry out a Quiz (game) twice a week (Tuesdays and Sundays) in the Ocean Club Tapas restaurant.
She began her working day at about 08.15 near to the Millenium restaurant until 08.45, then at 09.30 she walked to Lagos from where she returned at about 11.30 and at about 11.45 went for lunch at the Tapas restaurant.
In the afternoon she began work at 15.20 next to the Millenium until 16.15 and then returned to the Tapas restaurant until 17.15 and then to the Millenium restaurant from 17.30 to 18.00. She finished at about 18.15 and returned to the Tapas Bar for dinner and at 21.00 did a kind of quiz with the guests who were having dinner in the restaurant.
She remembers that last Tuesday at the end of the quiz, she was invited to the table of nine guests who asked her to join them for a drink.
She was at their table for about fifteen to twenty minutes and it was there that she met Mdeleine’s father, who directly invited her to the table, however, she does not know whether Madeleine’s mother was also there.
When questioned, she said that they talked of banalities and she did not notice any aspect or behaviour that was out of the ordinary.
When questioned, she said that during the time that she was there Madeleine’s father did not leave the table, neither did any of the other guests, however, during this time one of the chairs was always empty, that of someone who had had dinner and left, not managing to indicate any identifying element about this person.
When questioned, she said she was at the table from about 21.30 to 21.50.
She does not remember anyone from outside the resort having made any questions about the functioning of the Ocean Club, or about any particular service.
When questioned, she said that she had only seen Madeleine once or twice and had merely said hello to her, no more than that.
When questioned, she said that she had never seen anyone suspicious in the vicinity of the Ocean Club.
She knows nothing more about the subject.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 766 – 767
Witness Statement
María de Fátima Rodrigues Bernardo
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness, expressing her intention of making a statement in order to clarify the facts being investigated.
She is a cleaner and has worked at the OC for 3 years.
Her working day begins at 10.00 with a break for lunch from 13.30 to 14.30 and finishes work at 18.00. She normally has Tuesday afternoons and Sundays off.
Regarding her place of work, she is responsible for cleaning the FIJI and DATE blocks, belonging to the Palm Bay group. These blocks are situated opposite the apartment block the girl disappeared from.
She says she heard about the events the day after the disappearance from her colleagues when she started work. When she began work the disappearance was constantly talked about but she did not hear or see anything that could be of interest to the investigation.
On the day of the events, after leaving work, she went as always to collect her 8 year old son from school in P da L and went home afterwards to be with her family, only leaving the following morning.
When asked if she saw anything strange in the apartments where she worked or in the surrounding area on the days preceding the disappearance, she said no.
She did not see anyone with strange behaviour.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 768 – 770
Witness Statement
Natália da Glória Soares Camacho
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC as a cleaner for 8 years.
Her working hours are from 10.00 to 18.00, Sunday is her day off. She also has Tuesday mornings off. On the days she works full time, her lunch break is from 13.30 to 14.30.
When asked, she says that her specific functions are to clean the apartments that are previously allocated to her, she cleans on her own.
When asked, she says that she cleans the apartments near to the Millenium restaurant, 12 apartments that make up the “Club Face”, an area of the resort composed of five blocks, with eleven apartments each.
When asked, she says that her daily routine – and that of her colleagues – is the following: at 10.00 she goes to the laundry next to the Tapas Bar where one of her superiors (Marina, Bernadette or Francisca) gives her the keys of the apartments to be cleaned.
After the morning shift she goes to the laundry again during lunchtime, that is where she and her colleagues eat their lunch.
After lunch she returns to her area of work.
At about 18.00 she returns to the laundry and gives the keys back to the superior in charge.
She says that the keys are kept in special safes for this purpose and when she returns the keys to her superiors they always check that all the keys are there.
During lunchtime, the keys are kept by the cleaners and are not deposited in the safes.
As far as she knows, the laundry only has one copy of each key, thinking that more keys corresponding to the apartments are kept in the reception.
She say that she has nothing relevant to add to the facts being investigated.
She says that she carried out her functions in an area far from the apartment where the McCann family was staying and for this reason never met the family or the girl. She does not remember having seen them in the surroundings areas or in the apartments she cleaned.
She did not see any strange individuals or movements in the days before the disappearance.
She says that there is a lot of movement in the resort and that it would not be easy to see if anything unusual was happening.
She says that on the day of the disappearance she went home after finishing work at 18.00.
She heard about the events on the morning of the 4th May when she arrived at work and was told by her superior.
She said that her superior, who already had photocopies of the girl’s photograph, asked the employees to check the apartments they were cleaning as well as the surrounding areas.
She checked but did not find anything relevant.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol III
Pages 771 – 772
Witness Statement
María Guiomar Mestre Fernandes
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She has worked as a cleaner at the OC for the last six years, part time until March 2006 when she began to work full time. She works from 10.00 to 13.30 and from 14.30 to 18.00 with Sundays off.
Her function is to clean the rooms and apartments which takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Thursdays and Saturdays guests arrive and leave and she cleans the rooms and apartments that they move out of.
She cleans the rooms and apartments in the Club zone, lots 5 and 7, this cleaning is done by her alone.
That, in spite of this area being allocated to her, she sometimes is asked to help a colleague clean other rooms and apartments, especially on the days when guests arrive and leave.
In order to carry out the cleaning of rooms and apartments she needs the keys which are distributed by her superior, Marina. The distribution of the keys corresponds to the area that is allocated to each cleaner, and occurs at the beginning of each working day. After finishing work, the keys are returned to the superior.
She heard about the events on the following day 4th May from her superior. On that day her superior told her and her colleagues to search for the girl in the areas they were working.
On 3rd May she began work at 10.00, spending most of the day cleaning the apartments in the Club and at the end of the day she cleaned a room in the Garden zone, she thinks it was nº 26, finishing work at 18.00 and leaving the resort to go home.
She did not see anything abnormal on 3rd May or on the preceding days.
Has no further information.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 773 – 774
Witness Statement
María Noélia de Jesus do Nascimento
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. Has worked as a cleaner in the OC since 1997. She does cleaning and maintenance of the apartments. She works from 10.00 to 18.00, with Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off.
She has access to some of the resort apartments situated in the “Water side Villages” next to the beach.
When asked, she says she heard about Madeleine’s disappearance on the 4th May from a neighbour.
On the day of the disappearance she worked her normal hours.
She did not have any contact with the family prior to the disappearance.
She did not hear or see anything strange in the resort before the disappearance
She did not notice anyone strange or any unusual vehicle on the day of the disappearance.
With regard to her colleagues she does not know of anything that could raise any suspicion about the disappearance of the girl.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 775 – 777
Witness Statement
Dora Isabel Serafim da Silva
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC as a cleaner for six years. She works from 10.00 to 18.00 with Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off. Lunch break is from 13.30 to 14.30.
She cleans the apartments that are allocated to her and she works alone. She cleans the “cottage” buildings which are small houses with independent entrances. The are all in the Garden section and dispersed around the resort. There are 11 eleven cottages, none of them have a direct view of the apartment where the disappearance occurred.
When questioned, she says that her daily routine is the following: at 10.00 she goes to the laundry next to the Tapas area at which moment one of her superiors (Marina, Bernadette, Francisca) gives her the keys to the apartments she will clean.
After the morning shift she returns to the laundry where she and her colleagues have lunch. After lunch they go back to their working areas.
At 18.00 she returns to the laundry where she hands the keys over to her superior. She says the keys are kept in special safes and that the superior checks to see they are all there.
As far as she knows there is only one copy of the keys in the laundry, thinking there must be copies in the reception.
She did not see the McCann family or anything or anyone strange in the resort.
On the day of the events she was at home with her family, having left work at 18.00.
She heard about the events on the 4th May from her superior.
She said that her superior, who already had photocopies of the girl’s photograph asked her and her colleagues to check the apartments and surrounding areas. They were accompanied by officers from the GNR during the searches.
She worked in the following cottages that day: 17, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 46.
She specifies that she checked and cleaned , 19, 25, 29, 30, 40, 43 and 46.
She did not find anything significant during the searches.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 771 – 772
Witness Statement
María Guiomar Mestre Fernandes
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She has worked as a cleaner at the OC for the last six years, part time until March 2006 when she began to work full time. She works from 10.00 to 13.30 and from 14.30 to 18.00 with Sundays off.
Her function is to clean the rooms and apartments which takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Thursdays and Saturdays guests arrive and leave and she cleans the rooms and apartments that they move out of.
She cleans the rooms and apartments in the Club zone, lots 5 and 7, this cleaning is done by her alone.
That, in spite of this area being allocated to her, she sometimes is asked to help a colleague clean other rooms and apartments, especially on the days when guests arrive and leave.
In order to carry out the cleaning of rooms and apartments she needs the keys which are distributed by her superior, Marina. The distribution of the keys corresponds to the area that is allocated to each cleaner, and occurs at the beginning of each working day. After finishing work, the keys are returned to the superior.
She heard about the events on the following day 4th May from her superior. On that day her superior told her and her colleagues to search for the girl in the areas they were working.
On 3rd May she began work at 10.00, spending most of the day cleaning the apartments in the Club and at the end of the day she cleaned a room in the Garden zone, she thinks it was nº 26, finishing work at 18.00 and leaving the resort to go home.
She did not see anything abnormal on 3rd May or on the preceding days.
Has no further information.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Processos Vol III
Pages 773 – 774
Witness Statement
María Noélia de Jesus do Nascimento
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. Has worked as a cleaner in the OC since 1997. She does cleaning and maintenance of the apartments. She works from 10.00 to 18.00, with Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off.
She has access to some of the resort apartments situated in the “Water side Villages” next to the beach.
When asked, she says she heard about Madeleine’s disappearance on the 4th May from a neighbour.
On the day of the disappearance she worked her normal hours.
She did not have any contact with the family prior to the disappearance.
She did not hear or see anything strange in the resort before the disappearance
She did not notice anyone strange or any unusual vehicle on the day of the disappearance.
With regard to her colleagues she does not know of anything that could raise any suspicion about the disappearance of the girl.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 775 – 777
Witness Statement
Dora Isabel Serafim da Silva
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC as a cleaner for six years. She works from 10.00 to 18.00 with Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off. Lunch break is from 13.30 to 14.30.
She cleans the apartments that are allocated to her and she works alone. She cleans the “cottage” buildings which are small houses with independent entrances. The are all in the Garden section and dispersed around the resort. There are 11 eleven cottages, none of them have a direct view of the apartment where the disappearance occurred.
When questioned, she says that her daily routine is the following: at 10.00 she goes to the laundry next to the Tapas area at which moment one of her superiors (Marina, Bernadette, Francisca) gives her the keys to the apartments she will clean.
After the morning shift she returns to the laundry where she and her colleagues have lunch. After lunch they go back to their working areas.
At 18.00 she returns to the laundry where she hands the keys over to her superior. She says the keys are kept in special safes and that the superior checks to see they are all there.
As far as she knows there is only one copy of the keys in the laundry, thinking there must be copies in the reception.
She did not see the McCann family or anything or anyone strange in the resort.
On the day of the events she was at home with her family, having left work at 18.00.
She heard about the events on the 4th May from her superior.
She said that her superior, who already had photocopies of the girl’s photograph asked her and her colleagues to check the apartments and surrounding areas. They were accompanied by officers from the GNR during the searches.
She worked in the following cottages that day: 17, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 46.
She specifies that she checked and cleaned , 19, 25, 29, 30, 40, 43 and 46.
She did not find anything significant during the searches.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol III
Pages 778 – 779
Witness Statement
Mónica da Luz Louzeiro Dias Romao
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner.
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She has worked as a cleaner in the OC for 6 years.
She works from 10.00 to 18.00, lunch break from 13.30 to 14.30 and has Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off.
She is responsible for cleaning block 2 of the OC and cottages 18 to 27 of the Garden group, to which the apartment the girl disappeared from belongs.
She said she heard about the events from colleagues the following day when she began work.
The disappearance was the subject of much conversation but she did not hear anything of use to the investigation.
She received instructions to search for the child in the tourist resort.
On the day of the events, after finishing work she went home, being given a lift by her colleague Guiomar. After dinner she went to bed and did not go out until the following morning.
She did not see anything unusual in the apartments she cleaned during the days preceding the events. Neither did she see any suspicious individuals.
Processos Vol III
Pages 781 – 782
Witness Statement
Deolinda Maria da Silva Cristino Norte
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner.
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She has worked as a cleaner at the OC for 16 years. She works from 10.00 to 18.00 with a break for lunch from 13.30 to 14.30 and has Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off.
She cleans in the Waterside group quite far from the Garden area where the apartment the girl disappeared from is located.
She heard about the events the following day when she arrived at work.
The events were the subject of much discussion but she did not hear any comments that could be of interest to the investigation. She was told by her superior to search the resort to look for the girl.
She had no contact with the girl or her family.
On the day of the events she went home and did not leave until the following morning.
She did not see anything strange in the areas where she worked neither did she see any strange individuals.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 783 - 784
Witness Statement
Maria de Lurdes da Silva Santos Luz
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
She has worked at the OC as a cleaner for about a month, however she has worked at the OC before. She works from 10.00 to 13.00.
Her functions consist of cleaning the residence of Mr Robin, the OC manager, which is situated in Funchal, Lagos. She does not do any cleaning at the OC with the exception of the days when she takes his clothes for laundering at the OC on Wednesdays and Fridays.
She heard about the disappearance on Friday 4th May at about 10.00, having been informed by residents of Funchal, the news was later confirmed to her when she went to the OC
On 3rd May she went to the main OC reception having contacted the administrator, to pick up her cheque, before leaving the resort. This happened at about 15.00 – 16.00.
She has no information useful to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs
Pages 778 – 779
Witness Statement
Mónica da Luz Louzeiro Dias Romao
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner.
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She has worked as a cleaner in the OC for 6 years.
She works from 10.00 to 18.00, lunch break from 13.30 to 14.30 and has Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off.
She is responsible for cleaning block 2 of the OC and cottages 18 to 27 of the Garden group, to which the apartment the girl disappeared from belongs.
She said she heard about the events from colleagues the following day when she began work.
The disappearance was the subject of much conversation but she did not hear anything of use to the investigation.
She received instructions to search for the child in the tourist resort.
On the day of the events, after finishing work she went home, being given a lift by her colleague Guiomar. After dinner she went to bed and did not go out until the following morning.
She did not see anything unusual in the apartments she cleaned during the days preceding the events. Neither did she see any suspicious individuals.
Processos Vol III
Pages 781 – 782
Witness Statement
Deolinda Maria da Silva Cristino Norte
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner.
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She has worked as a cleaner at the OC for 16 years. She works from 10.00 to 18.00 with a break for lunch from 13.30 to 14.30 and has Sundays and Tuesday afternoons off.
She cleans in the Waterside group quite far from the Garden area where the apartment the girl disappeared from is located.
She heard about the events the following day when she arrived at work.
The events were the subject of much discussion but she did not hear any comments that could be of interest to the investigation. She was told by her superior to search the resort to look for the girl.
She had no contact with the girl or her family.
On the day of the events she went home and did not leave until the following morning.
She did not see anything strange in the areas where she worked neither did she see any strange individuals.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 783 - 784
Witness Statement
Maria de Lurdes da Silva Santos Luz
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
She has worked at the OC as a cleaner for about a month, however she has worked at the OC before. She works from 10.00 to 13.00.
Her functions consist of cleaning the residence of Mr Robin, the OC manager, which is situated in Funchal, Lagos. She does not do any cleaning at the OC with the exception of the days when she takes his clothes for laundering at the OC on Wednesdays and Fridays.
She heard about the disappearance on Friday 4th May at about 10.00, having been informed by residents of Funchal, the news was later confirmed to her when she went to the OC
On 3rd May she went to the main OC reception having contacted the administrator, to pick up her cheque, before leaving the resort. This happened at about 15.00 – 16.00.
She has no information useful to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol III
Pages 778 – 779
Witness Statement
Maria da Piedade dos Reis Joao Batista
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Waitress.
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She has been an employee of the OC since 23 April of this year, working as a waitress in the Top Bar snack bar, situated at the foot of the Mirage restaurant. She works from 09.30 to 18.00 with Tuesdays and Saturdays off. The guests who frequent the bar are mainly English tourists staying at the OC.
She heard about the disappearance on the 4th May at work.
She did not have any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and first saw them on the news.
She never saw or heard anything or anyone strange in the days before the disappearance, or anyone asking questions in the resort. She knows nothing about other colleagues that could lead to suspicion over their involvement.
She has no information of interest to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 780
Witness Statement (Handwritten)
Maria de Fátima Nunes Antonio
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
She comes to the process as a witness, has worked as a cleaner at the OC since 2005 (with intervals). In 2007 she began work at the OC on 2nd April. Her functions consist of removing linen and clothing from the apartments and cleaning them. She is part of the cleaning team that works in the Ocean Gardens, situated. quite far from where the events occurred.
She found out about the events on the following day. She knows no details about the disappearance, just what she has seen on the news. She has no knowledge of anything suspicious having happened. There have been robberies at the resort but no use of violence.
She has never heard of any other disappearance, rapes or sexual violence.
She thinks she could have seen the family like any other family or guest, but saw nothing strange.
Has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 670 – 672
Witness Statement
Svetlana Starikova Vitorino
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Kitchen assistant
Place of work: Tapas Restaurant
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC since 2006, but only during the summer period from April to November. She currently works in the Tapas Restaurant, near to the apartment the girl disappeared from. This year she will work until November, having begun on 19th April.
She is a kitchen assistant and normally works from 14.30 to 23.00. She has Saturdays and Sundays off.
During the times meals are served, she works outside the restaurant for some of the time, near to the grill and it is possible that she saw the girl on some occasion. However, she says that she does not have a clear idea of Madeleine, as many children were about, who looked quite similar to her. She can also say that she has an idea of the group that dined at a table at the Tapas esplanade, of nine adults, which Madeleine belonged to.
This group would dine at about 21.00/21.30 and she remembers that her colleagues called them the “Tennis Group”, as they were a very happy group.
The group’s children did not dine with them. She remembers that on the day the child disappeared there was some confusion, with some people who left the table after ordering, one of the meals even being sent back, as someone had asked them to delay the meal for a little while.
She doe not know very well for what reason the adults rose from the table, she thinks it concerns the girl’s disappearance. She did see that one of the plates was returned almost intact and they were asked to “delay” its cooking for a while, it was a grilled beef steak ordered by a man, whom she cannot identify.
At a certain moment, only an older woman remained at the table. The witness saw afterwards that they were looking for a girl, many people were helping to search.
When the witness left for home she observed the same, there were many people around.
On the following day when she arrived for work and saw the police presence, she assumed that the girl had not yet been found, which was later confirmed.
When questioned she says that she did not see anyone strange or any unusual behaviour, but that as she only goes outside to look at the grills, she did not pay much attention.
No more is said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 778 – 779
Witness Statement
Maria da Piedade dos Reis Joao Batista
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Waitress.
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She has been an employee of the OC since 23 April of this year, working as a waitress in the Top Bar snack bar, situated at the foot of the Mirage restaurant. She works from 09.30 to 18.00 with Tuesdays and Saturdays off. The guests who frequent the bar are mainly English tourists staying at the OC.
She heard about the disappearance on the 4th May at work.
She did not have any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and first saw them on the news.
She never saw or heard anything or anyone strange in the days before the disappearance, or anyone asking questions in the resort. She knows nothing about other colleagues that could lead to suspicion over their involvement.
She has no information of interest to the investigation.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 780
Witness Statement (Handwritten)
Maria de Fátima Nunes Antonio
Date: 2007-05-09
Occupation: Cleaner
She comes to the process as a witness, has worked as a cleaner at the OC since 2005 (with intervals). In 2007 she began work at the OC on 2nd April. Her functions consist of removing linen and clothing from the apartments and cleaning them. She is part of the cleaning team that works in the Ocean Gardens, situated. quite far from where the events occurred.
She found out about the events on the following day. She knows no details about the disappearance, just what she has seen on the news. She has no knowledge of anything suspicious having happened. There have been robberies at the resort but no use of violence.
She has never heard of any other disappearance, rapes or sexual violence.
She thinks she could have seen the family like any other family or guest, but saw nothing strange.
Has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 670 – 672
Witness Statement
Svetlana Starikova Vitorino
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Kitchen assistant
Place of work: Tapas Restaurant
She comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC since 2006, but only during the summer period from April to November. She currently works in the Tapas Restaurant, near to the apartment the girl disappeared from. This year she will work until November, having begun on 19th April.
She is a kitchen assistant and normally works from 14.30 to 23.00. She has Saturdays and Sundays off.
During the times meals are served, she works outside the restaurant for some of the time, near to the grill and it is possible that she saw the girl on some occasion. However, she says that she does not have a clear idea of Madeleine, as many children were about, who looked quite similar to her. She can also say that she has an idea of the group that dined at a table at the Tapas esplanade, of nine adults, which Madeleine belonged to.
This group would dine at about 21.00/21.30 and she remembers that her colleagues called them the “Tennis Group”, as they were a very happy group.
The group’s children did not dine with them. She remembers that on the day the child disappeared there was some confusion, with some people who left the table after ordering, one of the meals even being sent back, as someone had asked them to delay the meal for a little while.
She doe not know very well for what reason the adults rose from the table, she thinks it concerns the girl’s disappearance. She did see that one of the plates was returned almost intact and they were asked to “delay” its cooking for a while, it was a grilled beef steak ordered by a man, whom she cannot identify.
At a certain moment, only an older woman remained at the table. The witness saw afterwards that they were looking for a girl, many people were helping to search.
When the witness left for home she observed the same, there were many people around.
On the following day when she arrived for work and saw the police presence, she assumed that the girl had not yet been found, which was later confirmed.
When questioned she says that she did not see anyone strange or any unusual behaviour, but that as she only goes outside to look at the grills, she did not pay much attention.
No more is said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol III
Pages 673 – 674
Witness Statement
Tiffany Carol Horner
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Waitress
Place of work: Millenium Restaurant
She comes to the process as a witness. She works at the Millenium Restaurant, OC resort.
She does not speak Portuguese and is assisted by the interpreter, Robert Murat.
She says that this is the first year she has worked at the OC but she has worked in Lagos for five years for a removals company which she owned and sold in December because it was not making a profit. She began work at the OC on 26 March 2007, has an 8 month contract and is an employee of the Millenium restaurant.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays she works at the restaurant, serving at the tables from 07.30 to 15.30.
When asked, she says she does not know Madeleine’s parents, but she does remember the arrival of their group as it was a large group. She does not remember having served them at the table.
She saw nothing unusual about the group, nothing to draw her attention. Since she began work at the OC she does not remember anyone having asked about its functioning, or anything suspicious.
The restaurant is quite far away and after serving the guests they would leave and she did not see anyone closely.
On 3rd May she worked as usual and did not see anything suspicious.
No more is said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 679 – 680
Witness Statement
José Carlos Fernandes da Silva
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Driver
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
He has worked as a driver at the OC since the 26th March of this year. His functions consist of driving the tourists from the reception to the apartments where they are staying. His working hours are from 11.00 to 16.00, except for Thursdays and Saturdays which are the days guests arrive and leave and when he starts and finishes work much earlier and later. He knows the resort well as he circulates throughout the whole resort.
When asked whether he knows about the disappearance he says that he heard about it on the day of the disappearance at about 23.00 because he was on his balcony and two men passed by and asked him whether he had seen a small girl who had gone missing from a restaurant. On the following day when he arrived at work he was told all the details. When asked, he replies that he does not think he saw or spoke to the girl or her family before the disappearance. He only knew who they were from the news.
Nobody made any comments to him about the guests or about children in the preceding days.
He did not see anyone suspicious or any unusual vehicles.
No more is said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 681 – 683
Witness Statement
Auzela Tania Damiao Andre Bingui
Date : 2007-05-08
Occupation: Worker/Student
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness. She is an employee of the OC and has worked there for two weeks having a seven-month work contract as a waitress. Previously she lived in Lisbon.
When questioned, she said that she came to the Algarve with her boyfriend Joel Lucio and got work at the OC with the aim of studying hotel management.
Her place of work is inside the kitchen so she does not have any contact with guests.
She never saw any members of the missing girl’s family.
She heard about the events from the numerous leaflets that were up in the streets, hearing about the disappearance on Friday. When she began work the disappearance was the subject of conversation, but she never heard anything that could be of interest to the investigation.
In spite of only having started work recently she never saw or heard anything suspicious in the area. She did not see anyone behaving suspiciously.
She was at work when the child went missing. Her working hours are from 15.30 to 24.00 with a half hour break at 21.30.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 673 – 674
Witness Statement
Tiffany Carol Horner
Date: 2007 – 05 – 08
Occupation: Waitress
Place of work: Millenium Restaurant
She comes to the process as a witness. She works at the Millenium Restaurant, OC resort.
She does not speak Portuguese and is assisted by the interpreter, Robert Murat.
She says that this is the first year she has worked at the OC but she has worked in Lagos for five years for a removals company which she owned and sold in December because it was not making a profit. She began work at the OC on 26 March 2007, has an 8 month contract and is an employee of the Millenium restaurant.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays she works at the restaurant, serving at the tables from 07.30 to 15.30.
When asked, she says she does not know Madeleine’s parents, but she does remember the arrival of their group as it was a large group. She does not remember having served them at the table.
She saw nothing unusual about the group, nothing to draw her attention. Since she began work at the OC she does not remember anyone having asked about its functioning, or anything suspicious.
The restaurant is quite far away and after serving the guests they would leave and she did not see anyone closely.
On 3rd May she worked as usual and did not see anything suspicious.
No more is said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 679 – 680
Witness Statement
José Carlos Fernandes da Silva
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Driver
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
He has worked as a driver at the OC since the 26th March of this year. His functions consist of driving the tourists from the reception to the apartments where they are staying. His working hours are from 11.00 to 16.00, except for Thursdays and Saturdays which are the days guests arrive and leave and when he starts and finishes work much earlier and later. He knows the resort well as he circulates throughout the whole resort.
When asked whether he knows about the disappearance he says that he heard about it on the day of the disappearance at about 23.00 because he was on his balcony and two men passed by and asked him whether he had seen a small girl who had gone missing from a restaurant. On the following day when he arrived at work he was told all the details. When asked, he replies that he does not think he saw or spoke to the girl or her family before the disappearance. He only knew who they were from the news.
Nobody made any comments to him about the guests or about children in the preceding days.
He did not see anyone suspicious or any unusual vehicles.
No more is said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 681 – 683
Witness Statement
Auzela Tania Damiao Andre Bingui
Date : 2007-05-08
Occupation: Worker/Student
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness. She is an employee of the OC and has worked there for two weeks having a seven-month work contract as a waitress. Previously she lived in Lisbon.
When questioned, she said that she came to the Algarve with her boyfriend Joel Lucio and got work at the OC with the aim of studying hotel management.
Her place of work is inside the kitchen so she does not have any contact with guests.
She never saw any members of the missing girl’s family.
She heard about the events from the numerous leaflets that were up in the streets, hearing about the disappearance on Friday. When she began work the disappearance was the subject of conversation, but she never heard anything that could be of interest to the investigation.
In spite of only having started work recently she never saw or heard anything suspicious in the area. She did not see anyone behaving suspiciously.
She was at work when the child went missing. Her working hours are from 15.30 to 24.00 with a half hour break at 21.30.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol III
Pages 684 – 685
Witness Statement
Pedro Miguel Goncalves Albino da Silva Bandarra
Date : 2007-05-08
Occupation: Barman
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
He has worked at the OC since 26-03-2007 and is a barman at the Millenium Restaurant Top Bar – a bar for the Club swimming pool. His working hours are from 16.00 – 24.00, his days off are Wednesdays and Thursdays.
He previously worked for the Alfasom company in Damaia – Amadora where he worked for six months as a lighting technician. His place of work is the Club, either at the restaurant bar or at the swimming pool bar.
He heard about the situation at about lunchtime 12.00 – 13.00 from a colleague who phoned him.
On 3rd May it was his day off and he arrived at work at about 16.00 to work in the Millenium bar.
He does not remember having served the missing girl’s family, he did not know them.
He did not see anything suspicious during the days before the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 688 + 683 (see PJ note)
Witness Statement
Maria de Jesus R. Almeida
Date : 2007-05-08
Occupation: Waitress/Kitchen worker
Place of Work: Tapas restaurant, OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She is helped in making her statement by Silvia Batista given that she does not read nor write.
She has worked at the OC since 05-04-2007 working as a waitress/kitchen assistant at the Tapas Restaurant. She works from 15.30 to 24.00 with Thursdays and Sundays off.
Her work consists of helping in the kitchen, preparing food or washing up. She is always inside the kitchen restaurant during her hours of work.
She heard about the disappearance on 4th May at 15.30 when she arrived for work. 3rd May was her day off.
She does not know the girl’s family and saw nothing suspicious during the days before the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 702 – 703
Witness Statement
Sofia Bento Barbosa
Date: 2007-08-08
Occupation: Cook
Place of Work: OC
She has worked at the OC for about 2 months and is a cook at the Millenium restaurant, her working hours are not defined, she works according to when her services are required. She has two days a week off, in rotation.
Before entering into service she was at home.
As a cook she is responsible for the “cold area”, her work being centred inside the kitchen of the Millenium restaurant.
She heard about the events through a phone call from her mother, and then from the news.
On 3rd May she started work at 09.30 and left the OC at 17.30. She only returned to the OC on 5th may at about 11.30 and worked until 15.00.
She does not remember ever having seen the family of the missing girl and only got to know who they were from their photos in the press.
She did not see anything suspicious during the days preceding the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs..
Pages 684 – 685
Witness Statement
Pedro Miguel Goncalves Albino da Silva Bandarra
Date : 2007-05-08
Occupation: Barman
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
He has worked at the OC since 26-03-2007 and is a barman at the Millenium Restaurant Top Bar – a bar for the Club swimming pool. His working hours are from 16.00 – 24.00, his days off are Wednesdays and Thursdays.
He previously worked for the Alfasom company in Damaia – Amadora where he worked for six months as a lighting technician. His place of work is the Club, either at the restaurant bar or at the swimming pool bar.
He heard about the situation at about lunchtime 12.00 – 13.00 from a colleague who phoned him.
On 3rd May it was his day off and he arrived at work at about 16.00 to work in the Millenium bar.
He does not remember having served the missing girl’s family, he did not know them.
He did not see anything suspicious during the days before the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 688 + 683 (see PJ note)
Witness Statement
Maria de Jesus R. Almeida
Date : 2007-05-08
Occupation: Waitress/Kitchen worker
Place of Work: Tapas restaurant, OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
She is helped in making her statement by Silvia Batista given that she does not read nor write.
She has worked at the OC since 05-04-2007 working as a waitress/kitchen assistant at the Tapas Restaurant. She works from 15.30 to 24.00 with Thursdays and Sundays off.
Her work consists of helping in the kitchen, preparing food or washing up. She is always inside the kitchen restaurant during her hours of work.
She heard about the disappearance on 4th May at 15.30 when she arrived for work. 3rd May was her day off.
She does not know the girl’s family and saw nothing suspicious during the days before the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 702 – 703
Witness Statement
Sofia Bento Barbosa
Date: 2007-08-08
Occupation: Cook
Place of Work: OC
She has worked at the OC for about 2 months and is a cook at the Millenium restaurant, her working hours are not defined, she works according to when her services are required. She has two days a week off, in rotation.
Before entering into service she was at home.
As a cook she is responsible for the “cold area”, her work being centred inside the kitchen of the Millenium restaurant.
She heard about the events through a phone call from her mother, and then from the news.
On 3rd May she started work at 09.30 and left the OC at 17.30. She only returned to the OC on 5th may at about 11.30 and worked until 15.00.
She does not remember ever having seen the family of the missing girl and only got to know who they were from their photos in the press.
She did not see anything suspicious during the days preceding the disappearance.
Reads, ratifies, signs..
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol III
Pages 689 - 690
Witness Statement
Jorge Miguel Trindade Cintra
Date: 2007.05.08
Occupation: Waiter
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant
Comes to the process as a witness. He has worked as a waiter at the OC since April of this year. His normal working hours are from 16H00 to 24H00, with days off on Thursdays and Fridays.
He does not often enter the resort complex, since his main duties lie in the Millenium Restaurant.
Questioned, he states that he became aware of the British girl, Madeleine’s disappearance on Friday, the 4th of May, via his girlfriend.
When questioned, the witness states that he does not believe he saw or spoke to the missing girl or to her family before her disappearance;
He became aware of these people following images on television in the days following the disappearance.
Questioned, the witness states that on the days with preceded the disappearance of the girl, no one spoke to him strangely regarding the guests, or the children accompanying them, the resort or the functioning of the resort.
He also states that he heard no conversation of this sort among other people.
Regarding the presence of people or persons who may have appeared strange in the resort, the last days, the witness states that he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
With regard to the vehicles which could have circulated or parked next to the resort, he states that he did not notice anything at all that drew his attention.
Questioned, the witness states that from the disappearance of the child Madeleine and until today, he is not aware of any commentary that would help clarify the motive for the disappearance, and that he has no information which could help with clarification.
Nothing more was said
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 714-715
Witness Statement
Alayn Hernandez Fundora
Date: 2007.05.08
Occupation: Barman
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
Has been resident in Portugal for four years and is fluent in Portuguese (Cuban nationality).
He works in the restaurant area, as a barman in the Plantation Bar, near to the adult swimming pool. This space as well as the bar belong to the OC.
The pool in question is the only place in the resort that does not admit children under 12 and in order to access these installations, one has to pass through a door that is always closed and which is only opened by employees upon the request of users (knocking on the door or ringing the bell).
He says that he has exercised these functions since April 2007. His normal working hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 without interruption for lunch, every day except Fridays and Mondays which are his days off. In the exercise of his functions he remains inside the pool installations having direct contact with the guests and users
Before seeing them in the press, he had never seen the McCann family before because they did not visit the leisure area when he was working.
On the day of the events he went home at 18.00 where he remained with his family.
He knew about the events on the following day at 13.00 from the press. He has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 691 – 693
Witness Statement
John Sholto Young
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Waiter, Millenium Restaurant
Place of Work: OC
As he is British and as he does not dominate the Portuguese language, the present statements are taken in the presence of Robert James Queriol Eveleigh Murat, translator to the inquiry.
He has been in Portugal for two years from this (above) date, and that he has worked in Portugal since this time, primarily in the Algarve region.
He explains that last year, in 2006, he worked from April to October in the resort known as “The Ocean Club”, situated in Luz, Lagos (Algarve), where he worked as a waiter. In 2007, he signed a new contract with this same establishment, and began working on April 1, executing the same functions of waiter.
But he clarifies that his work was carried out in the “Millenium” restaurant that is open from 08H00 to 24H00, without interruption, even though it has no lunch menu.
He clarifies that his regular work hours are from 07H30 to15H30. He chose these hours so as to be able to explore the region.
He adds that this past Thursday, the 3rd of May, as was routine, he left work at the normal time (around 16H00), and went home to his place in Almadena.
For this reason, only on the following day, Friday, 4th of May, did he learn of the facts when he reached work. His colleague Paula told him what had happened and for this reason, he did not take part in the searches and had no direct knowledge of the facts.
Questioned about the child Madeleine and her parents, he states that only after hearing about the missing girl did he became aware of the people in question.
After seeing their [the McCann’s] picture, he immediately remembered that he had seen them having breakfast in the restaurant where he works, but that he does not remember any situation in particular involving this family, nor does he remember hearing or noticing any strange situation involving their presence.
He states that according to what he has said regarding the presence, or lack thereof, of anything abnormal, he notes that guests in the resort possess a member card (one per adult). The children, he does not believe, carried any such identification outside the resort, but that they were always accompanied by their parents.
Even though he does not frequent the resort at night, he does remember that, in the past year during this time, he did see people who were not guests frequenting the resort buildings, or simply passing through the village.
As for this year, and this week, he can make no reference to anything of this sort.
Questioned, the witness states that he is not aware of any type of situation which he believes to be suspicious, directly, or indirectly, related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Regarding his work area, he only remembers that the Kitchen Chef from the Tapas, a German individual named Peter, left his employment about a week before the disappearance. He adds that this person’s behaviour was that of a perfectly normal person. He further adds that this person’s build is as follows: thin, Caucasian, height of about 1,77m with full, light brown/grey hair.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 689 - 690
Witness Statement
Jorge Miguel Trindade Cintra
Date: 2007.05.08
Occupation: Waiter
Place of Work: Millenium Restaurant
Comes to the process as a witness. He has worked as a waiter at the OC since April of this year. His normal working hours are from 16H00 to 24H00, with days off on Thursdays and Fridays.
He does not often enter the resort complex, since his main duties lie in the Millenium Restaurant.
Questioned, he states that he became aware of the British girl, Madeleine’s disappearance on Friday, the 4th of May, via his girlfriend.
When questioned, the witness states that he does not believe he saw or spoke to the missing girl or to her family before her disappearance;
He became aware of these people following images on television in the days following the disappearance.
Questioned, the witness states that on the days with preceded the disappearance of the girl, no one spoke to him strangely regarding the guests, or the children accompanying them, the resort or the functioning of the resort.
He also states that he heard no conversation of this sort among other people.
Regarding the presence of people or persons who may have appeared strange in the resort, the last days, the witness states that he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
With regard to the vehicles which could have circulated or parked next to the resort, he states that he did not notice anything at all that drew his attention.
Questioned, the witness states that from the disappearance of the child Madeleine and until today, he is not aware of any commentary that would help clarify the motive for the disappearance, and that he has no information which could help with clarification.
Nothing more was said
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 714-715
Witness Statement
Alayn Hernandez Fundora
Date: 2007.05.08
Occupation: Barman
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness.
Has been resident in Portugal for four years and is fluent in Portuguese (Cuban nationality).
He works in the restaurant area, as a barman in the Plantation Bar, near to the adult swimming pool. This space as well as the bar belong to the OC.
The pool in question is the only place in the resort that does not admit children under 12 and in order to access these installations, one has to pass through a door that is always closed and which is only opened by employees upon the request of users (knocking on the door or ringing the bell).
He says that he has exercised these functions since April 2007. His normal working hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 without interruption for lunch, every day except Fridays and Mondays which are his days off. In the exercise of his functions he remains inside the pool installations having direct contact with the guests and users
Before seeing them in the press, he had never seen the McCann family before because they did not visit the leisure area when he was working.
On the day of the events he went home at 18.00 where he remained with his family.
He knew about the events on the following day at 13.00 from the press. He has nothing to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 691 – 693
Witness Statement
John Sholto Young
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Waiter, Millenium Restaurant
Place of Work: OC
As he is British and as he does not dominate the Portuguese language, the present statements are taken in the presence of Robert James Queriol Eveleigh Murat, translator to the inquiry.
He has been in Portugal for two years from this (above) date, and that he has worked in Portugal since this time, primarily in the Algarve region.
He explains that last year, in 2006, he worked from April to October in the resort known as “The Ocean Club”, situated in Luz, Lagos (Algarve), where he worked as a waiter. In 2007, he signed a new contract with this same establishment, and began working on April 1, executing the same functions of waiter.
But he clarifies that his work was carried out in the “Millenium” restaurant that is open from 08H00 to 24H00, without interruption, even though it has no lunch menu.
He clarifies that his regular work hours are from 07H30 to15H30. He chose these hours so as to be able to explore the region.
He adds that this past Thursday, the 3rd of May, as was routine, he left work at the normal time (around 16H00), and went home to his place in Almadena.
For this reason, only on the following day, Friday, 4th of May, did he learn of the facts when he reached work. His colleague Paula told him what had happened and for this reason, he did not take part in the searches and had no direct knowledge of the facts.
Questioned about the child Madeleine and her parents, he states that only after hearing about the missing girl did he became aware of the people in question.
After seeing their [the McCann’s] picture, he immediately remembered that he had seen them having breakfast in the restaurant where he works, but that he does not remember any situation in particular involving this family, nor does he remember hearing or noticing any strange situation involving their presence.
He states that according to what he has said regarding the presence, or lack thereof, of anything abnormal, he notes that guests in the resort possess a member card (one per adult). The children, he does not believe, carried any such identification outside the resort, but that they were always accompanied by their parents.
Even though he does not frequent the resort at night, he does remember that, in the past year during this time, he did see people who were not guests frequenting the resort buildings, or simply passing through the village.
As for this year, and this week, he can make no reference to anything of this sort.
Questioned, the witness states that he is not aware of any type of situation which he believes to be suspicious, directly, or indirectly, related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Regarding his work area, he only remembers that the Kitchen Chef from the Tapas, a German individual named Peter, left his employment about a week before the disappearance. He adds that this person’s behaviour was that of a perfectly normal person. He further adds that this person’s build is as follows: thin, Caucasian, height of about 1,77m with full, light brown/grey hair.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol III
Pages 721-722
Witness Statement
Miguel Salcedos Coelho
Date: 2007.05.08
Occupation: Chef
Place of Work: Tapas restaurant, OC
Comes to the process as a witness. He has worked at the OC for about two years, during the first year he was worked in the Millenium restaurant and this year he is a chef in the Tapas restaurant.
He arrived in Portugal in February of this year and his working hours are 14.30 to 23.00 without interruption.
He normally works inside the kitchen, however, as the barbecues are done outside he goes to the grills and observes the tables and the guests.
In spite of having seen Madeleine’s parents several times knowing that they were part of a group of nine guests, he never talked to them or had any kind of relation with them.
He knows some Portuguese people from Lagos but nobody ever asked him anything about the functioning of the resort
On 3rd May he arrived for work as usual and did not see anyone suspicious
On that night everything was normal as on other days and he did not see anyone or any situation out of the ordinary in the restaurant.
When questioned, he says that he did not notice when the guests left, at about 22.00 his cousin told him what had happened, seeing as the witness had been inside the fridge (cold store).
When questioned he said that he did not see anything unusual.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 697 – 699
Witness Statement
Sandra Maria Dos Santos Lourenco Murtinheira
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness. She works in the ‘Luz Ocean Club’ (TOC) for a second time.
She was first contracted in 2006 and began work in April and finished in October. This year, 2007, she was contracted in March and will end in October or November.
Her functions include cleaning the pool areas of the TOC between 0900H—and 19H00, with the exceptions of Sundays and Mondays, which are her days off.
Regarding the facts in question, the witness states that she became aware of the disappearance the day after it had occurred.
When she got to work, she noticed the presence of the GNR and immediately thought that something had happened. She initially thought that there had been another break-in, given that in 2006, she heard of break-ins to the resort apartments.
Outside the reception, which allows access to the pool and the ‘Tapas’, she encountered a colleague who told her that a child had gone missing.
At the time, she does not remember speaking any more about it. Later however, she again heard talk of the disappearance as the news media began to appear at the resort.
The witness, in exercising her functions, began working in the pool areas in the LOC. Because she is asked, the witness states that she does not know which apartment the child’s parents occupied. She also has no idea who the parents were and could only associate these guests when she saw them on television.
Regarding the missing child, the witness believes that she may have seen her walking with one of the nannies. However, there are many families with children, and it is normal to see the children with their nannies carrying out their activities.
As already stated, as part of her functions, she often goes into the resort. She normally walks this route.
Questioned, the witness states that she is unaware of any strange behaviour or movements on behalf of the guests, or other individuals, in the LOC or immediate surroundings.
The zone is normally very quiet, even in the summer when there is more movement.
Questioned, states that she is not aware of any situation regarding crimes, or sexual assaults in the LOC.
She has no elements related to the facts that could help clarify the facts.
And nothing more was said…
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol XV
Pages 4114 – 4115
Witness Statement
Bernardino Abreu Pereira da Silva (previously identified on p 372)
He confirms the integrity of his statement on page 372.
When asked, he says he no longer works for the MW OC for health reasons, he made the decision to resign.
When questioned about having made a telephone call on 3rd May at 21.00.11 having activated antennas in P da L, when his working day finished at 20.30, he says that on this day, as well as on others, he was delayed because he had to carry out the transport, even though it was late, of some tourists. At this time he was driving the minibus belonging to the establishment. H e also says, that on this day, as well as the transport already referred to, he was late because of the fact that some tourists did not have the key to their apartment.
With regard to the number that he dialled on that day at that time, he says it was the number 966****** corresponding to his wife’s number, which was confirmed in this file.
He has nothing else to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 721-722
Witness Statement
Miguel Salcedos Coelho
Date: 2007.05.08
Occupation: Chef
Place of Work: Tapas restaurant, OC
Comes to the process as a witness. He has worked at the OC for about two years, during the first year he was worked in the Millenium restaurant and this year he is a chef in the Tapas restaurant.
He arrived in Portugal in February of this year and his working hours are 14.30 to 23.00 without interruption.
He normally works inside the kitchen, however, as the barbecues are done outside he goes to the grills and observes the tables and the guests.
In spite of having seen Madeleine’s parents several times knowing that they were part of a group of nine guests, he never talked to them or had any kind of relation with them.
He knows some Portuguese people from Lagos but nobody ever asked him anything about the functioning of the resort
On 3rd May he arrived for work as usual and did not see anyone suspicious
On that night everything was normal as on other days and he did not see anyone or any situation out of the ordinary in the restaurant.
When questioned, he says that he did not notice when the guests left, at about 22.00 his cousin told him what had happened, seeing as the witness had been inside the fridge (cold store).
When questioned he said that he did not see anything unusual.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 697 – 699
Witness Statement
Sandra Maria Dos Santos Lourenco Murtinheira
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness. She works in the ‘Luz Ocean Club’ (TOC) for a second time.
She was first contracted in 2006 and began work in April and finished in October. This year, 2007, she was contracted in March and will end in October or November.
Her functions include cleaning the pool areas of the TOC between 0900H—and 19H00, with the exceptions of Sundays and Mondays, which are her days off.
Regarding the facts in question, the witness states that she became aware of the disappearance the day after it had occurred.
When she got to work, she noticed the presence of the GNR and immediately thought that something had happened. She initially thought that there had been another break-in, given that in 2006, she heard of break-ins to the resort apartments.
Outside the reception, which allows access to the pool and the ‘Tapas’, she encountered a colleague who told her that a child had gone missing.
At the time, she does not remember speaking any more about it. Later however, she again heard talk of the disappearance as the news media began to appear at the resort.
The witness, in exercising her functions, began working in the pool areas in the LOC. Because she is asked, the witness states that she does not know which apartment the child’s parents occupied. She also has no idea who the parents were and could only associate these guests when she saw them on television.
Regarding the missing child, the witness believes that she may have seen her walking with one of the nannies. However, there are many families with children, and it is normal to see the children with their nannies carrying out their activities.
As already stated, as part of her functions, she often goes into the resort. She normally walks this route.
Questioned, the witness states that she is unaware of any strange behaviour or movements on behalf of the guests, or other individuals, in the LOC or immediate surroundings.
The zone is normally very quiet, even in the summer when there is more movement.
Questioned, states that she is not aware of any situation regarding crimes, or sexual assaults in the LOC.
She has no elements related to the facts that could help clarify the facts.
And nothing more was said…
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol XV
Pages 4114 – 4115
Witness Statement
Bernardino Abreu Pereira da Silva (previously identified on p 372)
He confirms the integrity of his statement on page 372.
When asked, he says he no longer works for the MW OC for health reasons, he made the decision to resign.
When questioned about having made a telephone call on 3rd May at 21.00.11 having activated antennas in P da L, when his working day finished at 20.30, he says that on this day, as well as on others, he was delayed because he had to carry out the transport, even though it was late, of some tourists. At this time he was driving the minibus belonging to the establishment. H e also says, that on this day, as well as the transport already referred to, he was late because of the fact that some tourists did not have the key to their apartment.
With regard to the number that he dialled on that day at that time, he says it was the number 966****** corresponding to his wife’s number, which was confirmed in this file.
He has nothing else to add.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Processos Vol II
Pages 360 – 362
Witness Statement
Custodia María dos Reis Espada
Date: 2007 – 05 –07
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC as a cleaner since the beginning of 2005. She works from 10.00 to 18.00 every day except for Sundays, her day off. On Tuesdays she works until 13.30. She has lunch between 13.30 and 14.30 or from 14.00 to 15.00 depending on her volume of work.
When questioned, she says that she does the general cleaning of the apartments that are allocated to her and that she works alone.
She says that for the past two years she has been in charge of cleaning the apartments near to the main reception of the resort, specifically the European, Coconut and Baccanear blocks.
When questioned, she says that her daily routine and that of her colleagues is the following: at 10.00 she goes to the laundry next to the Tapas Bar, where one of her superiors (Mariana, Bernadette or Francisca) gives her the keys corresponding to the apartments she has to clean.
After the morning shift she returns to the laundry where she and her colleagues have lunch.
After lunch she returns to the area she was working in.
At about 18.00 when she finishes work she returns to the laundry where she hands back the keys to her superior. She says that the keys are kept in special safes and that the superiors check they are complete.
The cleaners retain the keys during lunchtime.
As far as she knows there may be another copy of the keys at the reception.
The area where she works is far from the place of the events and she does not recall having seen the McCann family. She does not recall having seen them in the apartments where she works.
She did not see anything suspicious in the days before the disappearance.
At the time of the disappearance she was at home with her partner and children.
She heard of the events upon arriving at work on 4th May.
Her superior already had photocopies of the girl’s photograph and told them to search the areas where they worked. They were always accompanied by a GNR when they searched.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 532 – 534
Witness Statement
Mario Domingos Moreira
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Handyman
Place of Work: OC
He has worked at the OC for about 20 years and currently works in the Maintenance Department, he carries out repairs inside the apartments.
He works from 09.00 to 18.00 with a break for lunch at 13.00. He has Sundays and Mondays off.
When asked about the events being investigated he says that he only saw the girl’s mother once. This happened during the exercise of his functions, and after instruction from his superiors he went to apartment 5 A.
His services had been requested because the shutters in the bedroom at the back of the apartment, facing the Tapas restaurant were damaged and with the aim of providing the mother with instructions regarding the operation of the washing machine. When asked, he said that the damage to the blinds was centred on the pull-handle, limiting their opening. He says that this kind of damage is quite frequent, given the fact of the need for some initial force to raise the shutter, sometimes associated with a lack of knowledge of the mechanism on the part of some of the tourists, who keep applying force, contrary to what is required, and which results in the violent destruction of the respective handles.
When questioned, he says that he never works alone, he is always part of a team of two. The other individual is his colleague, Luis Ferro, who accompanied him in the execution of the repairs mentioned above.
When asked, he says that he did not notice anything strange in the previous days, either in the apartments he entered or in the surrounding areas that could be connected to the disappearance.
He was at home at the time of the events.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol V
Pages 1289 – 1290
Witness Statement
Silvia María Correio Ramos Batista
Date: 2007 – 05 – 15
She is responsible for maintenance of the OC resort in P da L. Because of her profession she knows many people from the English community who are resident in P da L.
She knows the Murat family, had done for about 30 years. Mainly Mr Murat and his wife, Jenny. Mr Murat was linked to a civil construction business and the development of tourist resorts, in Salema as far as she knows. Mr Murat died some years ago.
The Murats live in a house near to the OC, called Casa Liliana. When asked she says she does not remember whether the Murats have a son.
When asked, she says that on the night of Madeleine’s disappearance, 3rd May, she was called by her boss at about 22.30. As she lives in Lagos, she arrived shortly afterwards at the resort. There were about 60 people close to apartment 5 A, helping to look for the girl.
She remembers, but is not absolutely certain, given the time that has passed, that from the start, there was an individual helping to look for Madeleine, about 1.70 tall, with sort, light brown hair, with thin framed, brown glasses, who was also helping to search.
She does not remember at what time she saw him. She does not remember how he was dressed. She does not remember whom he was with or know if he arrived on foot or by car.
The same individual, she knew later to be the son of the Murat’s, Robert Murat.
Robert speaks fluent English and Portuguese. He helped the GNR in Lagos, and later the PJ to translate the witness statements of some English individuals.
In principal, she thinks it should be possible to confirm whether Murat was there on the date that Madeleine disappeared as well as other details, with Paul and June from the Duke of Holland bar and Mr Byron from the property administration company JNB in P da L.
She clarifies that on Saturday (05-05-2007) or Sunday (06-05-2007) or even Monday (07-05-2007) she spoke to Robert for the first time, during breaks between interviews, where he was acting as translator.
She describes him as a pleasant and easy going individual. He was quite open and extrovert in the conversations with her, he never spoke of anything personal.
Reads ratifies and signs
Pages 360 – 362
Witness Statement
Custodia María dos Reis Espada
Date: 2007 – 05 –07
Occupation: Cleaner
Place of Work: OC
Comes to the process as a witness. She has worked at the OC as a cleaner since the beginning of 2005. She works from 10.00 to 18.00 every day except for Sundays, her day off. On Tuesdays she works until 13.30. She has lunch between 13.30 and 14.30 or from 14.00 to 15.00 depending on her volume of work.
When questioned, she says that she does the general cleaning of the apartments that are allocated to her and that she works alone.
She says that for the past two years she has been in charge of cleaning the apartments near to the main reception of the resort, specifically the European, Coconut and Baccanear blocks.
When questioned, she says that her daily routine and that of her colleagues is the following: at 10.00 she goes to the laundry next to the Tapas Bar, where one of her superiors (Mariana, Bernadette or Francisca) gives her the keys corresponding to the apartments she has to clean.
After the morning shift she returns to the laundry where she and her colleagues have lunch.
After lunch she returns to the area she was working in.
At about 18.00 when she finishes work she returns to the laundry where she hands back the keys to her superior. She says that the keys are kept in special safes and that the superiors check they are complete.
The cleaners retain the keys during lunchtime.
As far as she knows there may be another copy of the keys at the reception.
The area where she works is far from the place of the events and she does not recall having seen the McCann family. She does not recall having seen them in the apartments where she works.
She did not see anything suspicious in the days before the disappearance.
At the time of the disappearance she was at home with her partner and children.
She heard of the events upon arriving at work on 4th May.
Her superior already had photocopies of the girl’s photograph and told them to search the areas where they worked. They were always accompanied by a GNR when they searched.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 532 – 534
Witness Statement
Mario Domingos Moreira
Date: 2007-05-08
Occupation: Handyman
Place of Work: OC
He has worked at the OC for about 20 years and currently works in the Maintenance Department, he carries out repairs inside the apartments.
He works from 09.00 to 18.00 with a break for lunch at 13.00. He has Sundays and Mondays off.
When asked about the events being investigated he says that he only saw the girl’s mother once. This happened during the exercise of his functions, and after instruction from his superiors he went to apartment 5 A.
His services had been requested because the shutters in the bedroom at the back of the apartment, facing the Tapas restaurant were damaged and with the aim of providing the mother with instructions regarding the operation of the washing machine. When asked, he said that the damage to the blinds was centred on the pull-handle, limiting their opening. He says that this kind of damage is quite frequent, given the fact of the need for some initial force to raise the shutter, sometimes associated with a lack of knowledge of the mechanism on the part of some of the tourists, who keep applying force, contrary to what is required, and which results in the violent destruction of the respective handles.
When questioned, he says that he never works alone, he is always part of a team of two. The other individual is his colleague, Luis Ferro, who accompanied him in the execution of the repairs mentioned above.
When asked, he says that he did not notice anything strange in the previous days, either in the apartments he entered or in the surrounding areas that could be connected to the disappearance.
He was at home at the time of the events.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol V
Pages 1289 – 1290
Witness Statement
Silvia María Correio Ramos Batista
Date: 2007 – 05 – 15
She is responsible for maintenance of the OC resort in P da L. Because of her profession she knows many people from the English community who are resident in P da L.
She knows the Murat family, had done for about 30 years. Mainly Mr Murat and his wife, Jenny. Mr Murat was linked to a civil construction business and the development of tourist resorts, in Salema as far as she knows. Mr Murat died some years ago.
The Murats live in a house near to the OC, called Casa Liliana. When asked she says she does not remember whether the Murats have a son.
When asked, she says that on the night of Madeleine’s disappearance, 3rd May, she was called by her boss at about 22.30. As she lives in Lagos, she arrived shortly afterwards at the resort. There were about 60 people close to apartment 5 A, helping to look for the girl.
She remembers, but is not absolutely certain, given the time that has passed, that from the start, there was an individual helping to look for Madeleine, about 1.70 tall, with sort, light brown hair, with thin framed, brown glasses, who was also helping to search.
She does not remember at what time she saw him. She does not remember how he was dressed. She does not remember whom he was with or know if he arrived on foot or by car.
The same individual, she knew later to be the son of the Murat’s, Robert Murat.
Robert speaks fluent English and Portuguese. He helped the GNR in Lagos, and later the PJ to translate the witness statements of some English individuals.
In principal, she thinks it should be possible to confirm whether Murat was there on the date that Madeleine disappeared as well as other details, with Paul and June from the Duke of Holland bar and Mr Byron from the property administration company JNB in P da L.
She clarifies that on Saturday (05-05-2007) or Sunday (06-05-2007) or even Monday (07-05-2007) she spoke to Robert for the first time, during breaks between interviews, where he was acting as translator.
She describes him as a pleasant and easy going individual. He was quite open and extrovert in the conversations with her, he never spoke of anything personal.
Reads ratifies and signs
Info- Golden Poster
- Number of posts : 767
Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:56
Processos Vol XI
Pages 2941-2944
Witness Statement
Ricardo Alexandre da Luz Oliveira
Date: 2007.09.07
Having already given a statement to this process, he confirms what is already on record, a copy of which is made available for this investigation
That he comes to the process as a witness and with the hope that he may help in the localisation of the child Madeleine Beth McCann, missing since the 3rd May, 2007, Praia da Luz, Lagos.
Questioned if he was the person who called the reception to tell them that a child had gone missing, he states that he cannot definitively remember if he did or not. He admits that he could have been the one to call.
Clarifies that on that night when he took the dinner orders, the entire group was seated. He remembers that there were nine adults—four men and five women. He did not notice any strange behaviour on their part.
Asked to describe the positions in which the group sat, he states that he can only recall that of the taller man (Russell), as he saw him leave the table, and the older woman, who remained seated after the rest of the group had left the table. Russell, he notes, was seated looking toward the front of the apartments and the older woman occupied a seat that was more or less facing away from the apartments. He is not able to describe the group’s clothing that night.
He states that on that night, after having received the orders, he went into the bar. Immediately, he put two white wine and two red wine bottles, along with a bottle of water, on the table. He cannot be sure that he served more wine that night. The appetiser/starters were served by one of his colleagues. After 25 to 30 minutes, it was the witness who served the main dishes. He remembers that at this moment, the taller male, whom he now knows to be Russell, had left the table. He did not know where he had gone. The witness was asked to keep Russell’s meal warm. After a certain amount of time (he is not able to be exact), he was asked to serve Russell, who had returned to the table. He remembers that the rest of the group had practically finished their main courses. Asked if he remembers having seen all the elements of the group at this time, he cannot remember exactly. He also cannot state the length of time Russell was away from the table. The witness states that he had already served all the clients of the bar and for this reason, believes that Russell was away for some time.
He served Russell and shortly thereafter, he was alerted to strange movements in the restaurant perimeters. He refers to the movements of two men from said group—David Payne and Matthew, who appeared to be searching the gardens the areas near the bar. The witness went to the esplanade zone and saw that the table that had previously been occupied by nine adults was now occupied only by the older woman, called Dianne Webster. It was also at this time that he saw that Russell’s food was only half eaten and that the others had all finished their dinner.
David Payne and Matthew were nervously searching the area.
The witness went to them, he does not remember which one, and asked what was happening. One of them responded to the witness in English stating “GIRL IS MISSING”—that a child had gone missing. After a few moments, around 5 or 10 minutes, he heard screaming from the apartment zone and saw a woman on the balcony of 5 A. He did not understand what she was saying. As it was night, and given the distance from the Tapas bar to the apartment, he was not able to determine if there was someone else next to the woman on the balcony. At that moment his colleague, Joe, met up with him and asked the witness to call the police, and that a child has gone missing and could not be found. Immediately afterwards, Joe left toward the street. He does not know who gave this information to Joe but the witness (or his colleague who believes the witness did so) called the reception asking them to inform the police.
Questioned, he affirms that the group would normally consist of nine people (including Madeleine’s parents), and would normally dine around 20H30 and 20H40. They would not all arrive at once and before they all arrived, some would have c ocktails. On the day of the disappearance, all were seated at the table between 20H35 and 20H45. He remembers them arriving as usual. Had they arrived late, this would have been noted by the staff. He does not remember if they were served c ocktails. When they were all together, the group sat at the table, he took their orders, including the starters. As already mentioned, on this occasion, he would immediately take two white and two red bottles of wine and one bottle of water to the table. Their main courses would normally be ready 25 to 30 minutes after their order—a time they used to consume the starters. After starters, the group would normally spend about 15 minutes finishing the main course. Generally, during dinner, he would serve four bottles of wine (two white and two red), which the group completely consumed. On that day, he did not serve any more wine. It was also normal for certain members of the group to order dessert. After this, they would normally stay at the table until after 23H00 but would always leave before 00H00, the time when the bar closed. One or more of them, on another night, asked for an after-dinner drink. He remembers this clearly because they asked for Amareto and the bar did not stock it.
The witness served almond bitters to all. He remembers that this happened on Wednesday. He does not remember if they had more after-dinner drinks. He does remember that on Wednesday, certain elements of the group got up, with their after-dinner drinks, and headed to the bar and stayed there until about 00H00/00H10. This was the only night where the group elements were in the bar after closing. He also remembers that they would normally be the last clients to leave. Wednesday was the last night they were at the bar after dinner.
When questioned, he states that his colleague Joe is of British nationality and that he left at the end of August to go and live with his parents in England.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 582-583
Witness Statement
Luis Miguel da Conceicao Duarte
Date: 2007.05.08
Profession: Reservations Manager
That he comes to the process as a witness.
States that he has worked at the OC since April 1985 and from 1987 onwards, has been employed in the reservations department, first as a clerk and then as manager. He has now served in that role for 12 years.
He carries out his functions at the main reception in the resort. His normal working hours are from 09H30 to 18H00, Monday to Friday, with a lunch break from 13H00 to 14H30.
He states that his specific duties involve everything related to client reservations, the logistics of checking them in, and in assigning apartments.
He adds that when the clients arrive at the resort, the prior processing of their stay is carried out by reception employees.
States that his functions are centred on the physical space (previous references –primary reception) and that he does nor have much personal interaction with the clients/guests.
He notes that the McCann reservation was not handled by him.
As regards the facts being investigated, he mentioned that he has nothing to offer the investigation namely because from the 2nd May to the 6th May, 2007, he was on holidays in Madeira.
But he mentions that prior to the media emitting pictures of the family, he had not seen the McCann family or their children. He only found out about the disappearance of the child afterwards.
He specifies that he can add nothing to the investigation, as he already mentioned, he was not in Praia da Luz when the disappearance happened.
He clarifies that since beginning work at the resort, he has never been made aware of a situation similar to the present nor is he aware of any suspicious movements to this effect.
He has no knowledge of other elements that could help the investigation
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 579-581
Witness Statement
Rita Cristina Rose dos Santos Silva
Place of Work: Ocean Club
Profession: Receptionist
She has worked in the OC resort since February 2001 exercising her functions as receptionist.
That for about a year, she has worked with reservations.
That her work location is the 24 hour reception—the main reception of the Ocean Club resort and in the reservation section located on the second floor of the same building.
Her normal hours of work are varied. When she works in reservations, she normally works Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, between the hours of 09H30 to 13H00 and from 14H30 to 18H00, when the administrative services section close.
When working as a receptionist, her work hours are 08H00 to 16H00, with a lunch break, and sporadically from 16H00 to 24H00.
Her work duties are carried out in the building that houses the main reception of the OC resort.
That she became aware of the situation, (referring to the missing child), at around lunch time (12H00/13H00), from the television. She immediately contacted the OC reception and the situation was confirmed to her by one of her colleagues.
On 03.05.2007, the date the child went missing, she was not working, nor did she work on Friday, and returned to work on 05.05.2007 around 07H30.
That on 03.05.07, she headed towards the main reception, in order to collect her pay. She left the OC around 14H00.
That she does not know the child’s family and only got to know them via the media.
That she does not remember having served the family of the missing child, referring that the family in question did not pass by the Ocean Club reception as they were Mark Warner clients.
After their arrival by bus/minivan, Mark Warner clients go directly to their apartments. In doing so, they are accompanied by Mark Warner employees who complete their check-in.
After the clients are left at their apartments, Mark Warner delivers their identification, including a copy of passports or the passport itself, to the Ocean Club reception, which concludes the registration of the guest(s).
Mark Warner is a British Tour Operator and began working at the OC in 2006.
According to what she understands, this business works exclusively with English tourists.
That the apartment where the family stayed was assigned to the family given the typology and characteristics of the same, without knowledge of whether they have been guests previously.
That in the case of children or babies, special conditions are often requested, namely cots, high chairs, etc., and these conditions are taken care of by the Ocean Club or by Mark Warner, depending to which agency they booked with.
In the [McCann] case, their needs were taken care of by Mark Warner.
Concerning the keys to the apartments of Mark Warner clients, the keys are given by the OC reception to Mark Warner who gives them to the clients.
The same is the case with an access card which allows for access to all the services of the OC. This card too, is treated as is the keys (above) and is handed out one per person. Mark Warner hands these cards to its clients.
These access cards are given to each client (including babies and children), and besides permitting access to services offered by the Ocean Club, is equally used for buying drinks and food.
Later, these charges are added to the respective apartment.
That in the days prior and after the disappearance of the child, she did not detect any suspicious situation, abnormal or different nor were comments made to her regarding any such situation.
That she is unaware of any detail or information regarding the disappearance of the child, nor does she possess any information that could help find the child.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Pages 2941-2944
Witness Statement
Ricardo Alexandre da Luz Oliveira
Date: 2007.09.07
Having already given a statement to this process, he confirms what is already on record, a copy of which is made available for this investigation
That he comes to the process as a witness and with the hope that he may help in the localisation of the child Madeleine Beth McCann, missing since the 3rd May, 2007, Praia da Luz, Lagos.
Questioned if he was the person who called the reception to tell them that a child had gone missing, he states that he cannot definitively remember if he did or not. He admits that he could have been the one to call.
Clarifies that on that night when he took the dinner orders, the entire group was seated. He remembers that there were nine adults—four men and five women. He did not notice any strange behaviour on their part.
Asked to describe the positions in which the group sat, he states that he can only recall that of the taller man (Russell), as he saw him leave the table, and the older woman, who remained seated after the rest of the group had left the table. Russell, he notes, was seated looking toward the front of the apartments and the older woman occupied a seat that was more or less facing away from the apartments. He is not able to describe the group’s clothing that night.
He states that on that night, after having received the orders, he went into the bar. Immediately, he put two white wine and two red wine bottles, along with a bottle of water, on the table. He cannot be sure that he served more wine that night. The appetiser/starters were served by one of his colleagues. After 25 to 30 minutes, it was the witness who served the main dishes. He remembers that at this moment, the taller male, whom he now knows to be Russell, had left the table. He did not know where he had gone. The witness was asked to keep Russell’s meal warm. After a certain amount of time (he is not able to be exact), he was asked to serve Russell, who had returned to the table. He remembers that the rest of the group had practically finished their main courses. Asked if he remembers having seen all the elements of the group at this time, he cannot remember exactly. He also cannot state the length of time Russell was away from the table. The witness states that he had already served all the clients of the bar and for this reason, believes that Russell was away for some time.
He served Russell and shortly thereafter, he was alerted to strange movements in the restaurant perimeters. He refers to the movements of two men from said group—David Payne and Matthew, who appeared to be searching the gardens the areas near the bar. The witness went to the esplanade zone and saw that the table that had previously been occupied by nine adults was now occupied only by the older woman, called Dianne Webster. It was also at this time that he saw that Russell’s food was only half eaten and that the others had all finished their dinner.
David Payne and Matthew were nervously searching the area.
The witness went to them, he does not remember which one, and asked what was happening. One of them responded to the witness in English stating “GIRL IS MISSING”—that a child had gone missing. After a few moments, around 5 or 10 minutes, he heard screaming from the apartment zone and saw a woman on the balcony of 5 A. He did not understand what she was saying. As it was night, and given the distance from the Tapas bar to the apartment, he was not able to determine if there was someone else next to the woman on the balcony. At that moment his colleague, Joe, met up with him and asked the witness to call the police, and that a child has gone missing and could not be found. Immediately afterwards, Joe left toward the street. He does not know who gave this information to Joe but the witness (or his colleague who believes the witness did so) called the reception asking them to inform the police.
Questioned, he affirms that the group would normally consist of nine people (including Madeleine’s parents), and would normally dine around 20H30 and 20H40. They would not all arrive at once and before they all arrived, some would have c ocktails. On the day of the disappearance, all were seated at the table between 20H35 and 20H45. He remembers them arriving as usual. Had they arrived late, this would have been noted by the staff. He does not remember if they were served c ocktails. When they were all together, the group sat at the table, he took their orders, including the starters. As already mentioned, on this occasion, he would immediately take two white and two red bottles of wine and one bottle of water to the table. Their main courses would normally be ready 25 to 30 minutes after their order—a time they used to consume the starters. After starters, the group would normally spend about 15 minutes finishing the main course. Generally, during dinner, he would serve four bottles of wine (two white and two red), which the group completely consumed. On that day, he did not serve any more wine. It was also normal for certain members of the group to order dessert. After this, they would normally stay at the table until after 23H00 but would always leave before 00H00, the time when the bar closed. One or more of them, on another night, asked for an after-dinner drink. He remembers this clearly because they asked for Amareto and the bar did not stock it.
The witness served almond bitters to all. He remembers that this happened on Wednesday. He does not remember if they had more after-dinner drinks. He does remember that on Wednesday, certain elements of the group got up, with their after-dinner drinks, and headed to the bar and stayed there until about 00H00/00H10. This was the only night where the group elements were in the bar after closing. He also remembers that they would normally be the last clients to leave. Wednesday was the last night they were at the bar after dinner.
When questioned, he states that his colleague Joe is of British nationality and that he left at the end of August to go and live with his parents in England.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 582-583
Witness Statement
Luis Miguel da Conceicao Duarte
Date: 2007.05.08
Profession: Reservations Manager
That he comes to the process as a witness.
States that he has worked at the OC since April 1985 and from 1987 onwards, has been employed in the reservations department, first as a clerk and then as manager. He has now served in that role for 12 years.
He carries out his functions at the main reception in the resort. His normal working hours are from 09H30 to 18H00, Monday to Friday, with a lunch break from 13H00 to 14H30.
He states that his specific duties involve everything related to client reservations, the logistics of checking them in, and in assigning apartments.
He adds that when the clients arrive at the resort, the prior processing of their stay is carried out by reception employees.
States that his functions are centred on the physical space (previous references –primary reception) and that he does nor have much personal interaction with the clients/guests.
He notes that the McCann reservation was not handled by him.
As regards the facts being investigated, he mentioned that he has nothing to offer the investigation namely because from the 2nd May to the 6th May, 2007, he was on holidays in Madeira.
But he mentions that prior to the media emitting pictures of the family, he had not seen the McCann family or their children. He only found out about the disappearance of the child afterwards.
He specifies that he can add nothing to the investigation, as he already mentioned, he was not in Praia da Luz when the disappearance happened.
He clarifies that since beginning work at the resort, he has never been made aware of a situation similar to the present nor is he aware of any suspicious movements to this effect.
He has no knowledge of other elements that could help the investigation
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Processos Vol III
Pages 579-581
Witness Statement
Rita Cristina Rose dos Santos Silva
Place of Work: Ocean Club
Profession: Receptionist
She has worked in the OC resort since February 2001 exercising her functions as receptionist.
That for about a year, she has worked with reservations.
That her work location is the 24 hour reception—the main reception of the Ocean Club resort and in the reservation section located on the second floor of the same building.
Her normal hours of work are varied. When she works in reservations, she normally works Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, between the hours of 09H30 to 13H00 and from 14H30 to 18H00, when the administrative services section close.
When working as a receptionist, her work hours are 08H00 to 16H00, with a lunch break, and sporadically from 16H00 to 24H00.
Her work duties are carried out in the building that houses the main reception of the OC resort.
That she became aware of the situation, (referring to the missing child), at around lunch time (12H00/13H00), from the television. She immediately contacted the OC reception and the situation was confirmed to her by one of her colleagues.
On 03.05.2007, the date the child went missing, she was not working, nor did she work on Friday, and returned to work on 05.05.2007 around 07H30.
That on 03.05.07, she headed towards the main reception, in order to collect her pay. She left the OC around 14H00.
That she does not know the child’s family and only got to know them via the media.
That she does not remember having served the family of the missing child, referring that the family in question did not pass by the Ocean Club reception as they were Mark Warner clients.
After their arrival by bus/minivan, Mark Warner clients go directly to their apartments. In doing so, they are accompanied by Mark Warner employees who complete their check-in.
After the clients are left at their apartments, Mark Warner delivers their identification, including a copy of passports or the passport itself, to the Ocean Club reception, which concludes the registration of the guest(s).
Mark Warner is a British Tour Operator and began working at the OC in 2006.
According to what she understands, this business works exclusively with English tourists.
That the apartment where the family stayed was assigned to the family given the typology and characteristics of the same, without knowledge of whether they have been guests previously.
That in the case of children or babies, special conditions are often requested, namely cots, high chairs, etc., and these conditions are taken care of by the Ocean Club or by Mark Warner, depending to which agency they booked with.
In the [McCann] case, their needs were taken care of by Mark Warner.
Concerning the keys to the apartments of Mark Warner clients, the keys are given by the OC reception to Mark Warner who gives them to the clients.
The same is the case with an access card which allows for access to all the services of the OC. This card too, is treated as is the keys (above) and is handed out one per person. Mark Warner hands these cards to its clients.
These access cards are given to each client (including babies and children), and besides permitting access to services offered by the Ocean Club, is equally used for buying drinks and food.
Later, these charges are added to the respective apartment.
That in the days prior and after the disappearance of the child, she did not detect any suspicious situation, abnormal or different nor were comments made to her regarding any such situation.
That she is unaware of any detail or information regarding the disappearance of the child, nor does she possess any information that could help find the child.
And nothing more was said.
Reads, ratifies, signs.
Info- Golden Poster
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Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
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