Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:54
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
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Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
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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
- Number of posts : 767
Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:57
Processos V1I
Pages 1843-1844
Witness Statement
Svetlana Malinka
Date. 2007.06.20
Profession: Cleaner
Place of work: Ocean Blue – Villa Management & Rental
She comes to the process as a witness.
She does not speak the Portuguese language and is assisted by a Russian language interpreter in this office.
The witness has been in Portugal since 1999, having continually resided in Praia da Luz, Lagos for about 5 or 6 months, she has worked for the firm Ocean Blue. Her work is carried out in the Praia da Luz zone, more specifically in the Ocean Club zone. This firm contracts the cleaning of some apartments close to the one from where the English child went missing. This apartment she cleans is in the same block, but is on the top floor. The witness cannot indicate the exact apartment.
She adds that she does not always clean in this area as there other workers who may do so. Their assignments are rotated.
The witness adds that the majority of persons who work in the zone, know that the apartment block occupied by the McCanns, located near the pool, is often occupied by non-owners.
The witness declares that she became aware of the disappearance of the girl via conversations with her colleagues. She became aware of the location of the disappearance two days after the facts.
She has nothing more to add regarding the disappearance of the minor Madeleine McCann. Having lived in the Praia da Luz zone for eight years, at no time has she been aware of abnormal situations. She characterises the zone as being very calm.
And nothing more was said.
Read, ratifies and signs.
Processos Vol II, Pages 392 to 394
STATEMENT FROM CLEANER OF 5 A
Maria Julia S. da Silva.
Upon being asked, she states that she is a cleaner and has been working as such for around 13 years with the company “THE OCEAN CLUB”. Her two daughters, FM and DI work with her in the same department.
Regarding her job, she points out that she is the person who is responsible for cleaning Block 5, more specifically apartments A, B, C, D, H, I, K, L, M and P, and also states that when the child disappeared only apartments A, B, D, G, H and K were occupied. She declares that she is the only employee who cleans these apartments, and has help when new customers arrive or leave. When preparing apartment A, where the Mc Cann family were to be installed, she says that she carried out the preparations with the help of her colleague DNA, on Saturday the 28th. She remembers that when preparing this apartment, she had just been notified that the apartment was to be occupied by 5 (five) people; she was unaware of children in the group. However, at the exact moment when she and her colleague DTNA were preparing the room, personnel from the company MARK WARNER entered the apartment and proceeded to place two children’s beds. It was at this moment that they learned that children would be sleeping in the apartment.
When questioned, she declares that the fact a third company placed the children’s beds inside the apartment is common. Also, she says that when the reservation of the apartments is in the hands of the MARKWARNER travel agency, it is this company that is responsible for placing the beds. On the other hand, when other travel agencies are involved, placing the children’s beds is carried out by “THE OCEAN CLUB” company itself.
With respect to her activities performed directly in the apartment, she declares that the last time she entered the apartment was on the Wednesday prior to the events, specifically on the 2nd of May, when she cleaned the apartment. When questioned, she declares that as opposed to what is established, on Thursday the 3rd and due to other chores, she did not have time to collect the garbage bags.
She remembers that when she entered Apartment A on the Wednesday, the parents were inside. After being duly authorized, she entered and carried out her work, because they were already on their way out. While she was in the apartment, there were no children there, and she supposed that they were in the creche. While performing her work, she remembers having noticed that the couple was sleeping in the room located opposite the entrance, where she confirmed the presence of a child’s bed (crib). The room gives onto an outdoor garden by means of a terrace, as it is on the ground floor,. In the room next to the entrance to the apartment there was a bed placed next to the wall (where she supposed the missing child slept), and also the second child’s bed (crib). All these beds were untidy at the time, meaning that they had been used. She also declares that in the room next to the entrance was another bed that had not been used.
On the following Friday, the day after the child disappeared, she states that due to police formalities, she did not clean apartment A.
When questioned, she declares that on the days prior to the events, she did not notice any strange element/object in the apartments she entered to clean that could have caught her attention and that could have been directly related to the disappearance.
Likewise, she declares that she did not notice any element/person behaving in a strange manner.
Finally, she declares that her work schedule begins at 1000 hours and ends at 1800 hours, after which time she returns to Lagos where she lives.
She has nothing further to say. After reading the document and finding it to be satisfactory, she signs it.
Cleaner 5a....
Maria Julia S da Silva
Pages 1843-1844
Witness Statement
Svetlana Malinka
Date. 2007.06.20
Profession: Cleaner
Place of work: Ocean Blue – Villa Management & Rental
She comes to the process as a witness.
She does not speak the Portuguese language and is assisted by a Russian language interpreter in this office.
The witness has been in Portugal since 1999, having continually resided in Praia da Luz, Lagos for about 5 or 6 months, she has worked for the firm Ocean Blue. Her work is carried out in the Praia da Luz zone, more specifically in the Ocean Club zone. This firm contracts the cleaning of some apartments close to the one from where the English child went missing. This apartment she cleans is in the same block, but is on the top floor. The witness cannot indicate the exact apartment.
She adds that she does not always clean in this area as there other workers who may do so. Their assignments are rotated.
The witness adds that the majority of persons who work in the zone, know that the apartment block occupied by the McCanns, located near the pool, is often occupied by non-owners.
The witness declares that she became aware of the disappearance of the girl via conversations with her colleagues. She became aware of the location of the disappearance two days after the facts.
She has nothing more to add regarding the disappearance of the minor Madeleine McCann. Having lived in the Praia da Luz zone for eight years, at no time has she been aware of abnormal situations. She characterises the zone as being very calm.
And nothing more was said.
Read, ratifies and signs.
Processos Vol II, Pages 392 to 394
STATEMENT FROM CLEANER OF 5 A
Maria Julia S. da Silva.
Upon being asked, she states that she is a cleaner and has been working as such for around 13 years with the company “THE OCEAN CLUB”. Her two daughters, FM and DI work with her in the same department.
Regarding her job, she points out that she is the person who is responsible for cleaning Block 5, more specifically apartments A, B, C, D, H, I, K, L, M and P, and also states that when the child disappeared only apartments A, B, D, G, H and K were occupied. She declares that she is the only employee who cleans these apartments, and has help when new customers arrive or leave. When preparing apartment A, where the Mc Cann family were to be installed, she says that she carried out the preparations with the help of her colleague DNA, on Saturday the 28th. She remembers that when preparing this apartment, she had just been notified that the apartment was to be occupied by 5 (five) people; she was unaware of children in the group. However, at the exact moment when she and her colleague DTNA were preparing the room, personnel from the company MARK WARNER entered the apartment and proceeded to place two children’s beds. It was at this moment that they learned that children would be sleeping in the apartment.
When questioned, she declares that the fact a third company placed the children’s beds inside the apartment is common. Also, she says that when the reservation of the apartments is in the hands of the MARKWARNER travel agency, it is this company that is responsible for placing the beds. On the other hand, when other travel agencies are involved, placing the children’s beds is carried out by “THE OCEAN CLUB” company itself.
With respect to her activities performed directly in the apartment, she declares that the last time she entered the apartment was on the Wednesday prior to the events, specifically on the 2nd of May, when she cleaned the apartment. When questioned, she declares that as opposed to what is established, on Thursday the 3rd and due to other chores, she did not have time to collect the garbage bags.
She remembers that when she entered Apartment A on the Wednesday, the parents were inside. After being duly authorized, she entered and carried out her work, because they were already on their way out. While she was in the apartment, there were no children there, and she supposed that they were in the creche. While performing her work, she remembers having noticed that the couple was sleeping in the room located opposite the entrance, where she confirmed the presence of a child’s bed (crib). The room gives onto an outdoor garden by means of a terrace, as it is on the ground floor,. In the room next to the entrance to the apartment there was a bed placed next to the wall (where she supposed the missing child slept), and also the second child’s bed (crib). All these beds were untidy at the time, meaning that they had been used. She also declares that in the room next to the entrance was another bed that had not been used.
On the following Friday, the day after the child disappeared, she states that due to police formalities, she did not clean apartment A.
When questioned, she declares that on the days prior to the events, she did not notice any strange element/object in the apartments she entered to clean that could have caught her attention and that could have been directly related to the disappearance.
Likewise, she declares that she did not notice any element/person behaving in a strange manner.
Finally, she declares that her work schedule begins at 1000 hours and ends at 1800 hours, after which time she returns to Lagos where she lives.
She has nothing further to say. After reading the document and finding it to be satisfactory, she signs it.
Cleaner 5a....
Maria Julia S da Silva
Info- Golden Poster
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Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:57
Processos Vol VI
Pages 1409 – 1412
Witness Statement
Marina Paulo Raposo Batista Castela
Date: 2007 – 05 – 16
Place of Work: Ocean Club
Occupation: General Manager
She comes to the process as a witness. She heard about the disappearance on 4th May when she arrived at work at about 09.30.
She saw the suspect, Robert Murat, for the first time on that day at about 12.30 when the witness went to meet GNR officers whom she cannot identify, to open the doors for them and speak to guests staying in apartments in block 6. The objective was for the police to talk to these guests and show them the photo of the girl and establish whether they had any information that could lead to discovering her whereabouts.
When she was beginning this task together with GNR officers, this individual appeared, she does not know from where, he immediately saw what operations were going on, speaking ostensibly to the guests from the first two apartments, explaining to them what they were doing there, showing much will and anxiety in the transmission of this information.
Given his behaviour, for a few minutes the witness thought that he belonged to one of the security forces, namely the PJ.
The GNR officer who was with them did not speak and English nor say anything.
After the second apartment, the witness says that Robert’s attitude was not the most correct, as he spoke to the guests in a very dry and affirmative way and she took the initiative to introduce herself to the clients, not letting him speak.
She thanks that is the reason why he immediately disappeared and did not accompany them to the rest of the apartments.
During the time he was with them that afternoon, several times he said how sorry he was about Madeleine’s disappearance, that he had a daughter of the same age and that we had to do everything possible to find the girl.
She had not seen this individual before this incident and knows nothing about him or his lifestyle.
She only saw him again on the morning of 7th May when she came to make statements to the PJ officers in apartment 6 of block 6. She was in the building between 11.00 and 13.30 and remembers that the individual entered and left the building at free will. They said hello to each other and did not speak any further that day.
On the following day 8th May, when she took some cleaning staff to the PJ station for questioning, Robert went to her and greeted her with two kisses. He asked her name. She did not see him again that day and thinks he was with the PJ officers.
She saw him again the following day 9th May at about 10.30 at the PJ station. At that moment he approached her and said the witness was known by a friend of his, Michaela. The witness confirmed this fact.
After this day she saw him no further. Apart from the contacts she had with him she had seen him on other occasions from a distance, in the company of journalists.
When questioned, she said that she knows Michaela (she has a German surname which the witness cannot pronounce) who lives behind the Del Rei restaurant in Lagos for the past 10 years.
They got to know each other through both being Jehovah’s witnesses and frequenting the same church, opposite the financial building in Lagos.
That she would attend the meetings with her boyfriend at that time, called Luis Antonio. Afterwards they got married and went to live in the apartment where they still both reside. She does not know whether they are still married today.
She knows that about 3 years ago, Michaela left home and went to live with another man near Faro, the witness does not know whom this individual was. She does know that Michaela was away for a little while, returning home.
Since that time (about 3 years ago) she has not had any further contact with Michaela because she was disassociated from the Jehovah’s witnesses of her own will and due to the reasons mentioned above.
That about 2 or 3 months ago she was readmitted to the JW . last Sunday, on 13th May they were together at a meeting where she was with her daughter. They greeted each other and the witness told her that she had met her partner, Robert. She confirmed that they had a business together on the Internet and that he had come to live in Portugal to expand his business, having arrived recently.
The witness says that he went to help the police in P da L with the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. She (MW) said that this was typical of him, to want to help. She added that he had even delayed medical tests in the UK in order to be in Portugal and accompany the investigation. Michaela appeared a bit displeased, due to the fact that their Internet business had experienced delays.
She does not know whether Michaela had a relationship with Robert as he was never referred to on this level and she never saw them together.
When asked about Michaela’s personality, the witness said she was a very cold person namely in the interpersonal relationships with her mother in law, daughter and with friends. At the time she was married to Luis Antonio (whom she still lives with) she did not work and liked to take care of her appearance. Given the coldness of her personality, they never had a close relationship.
The she speaks, Portuguese, German and English well. She says she had good computer skills. She has not seen her in the OC area for almost 7 years, which is when she came to live with Luis Antonio, who cleaned the resort pool.
Recently Michaela has been working in real estate companies. At this moment, as far as the witness knows, she has a home selling business with Robert on Internet and that they are in the process of expansion, to include other services.
She recognises Robert as the man presented as a suspect in the abduction of Madeleine on the television during the last days and as resident of Casa Liliana situated close to where the events occurred.
According to what Michaela told her, he spends a lot of time in England. Due to the witness’s profession she passed by the house every day (the OC has various lost nearby, called Palm Bay) and she has never seen that man there, which makes her think that he spent a lot of time abroad or in another place.
As far as she knows, Michaela was also in the UK with her daughter during the carnival holiday in 2007.
No more is said. Reads, ratifies, signs.
Translated by Astro:
Vol VIII
Pages 1975 - 1977
Witness Statement
Silvia Batista
2007 - 07 - 26
“Concerning the matter of the process, the witness said:
That she has given statements for several times within the process, and remembers the contents of what she stated before, therefore reproducing the contents of the previous statements into this statement.
The deponent offers another statement because with the passage of time, since Madeleine’s disappearance, she has remembered some details of the facts that she witnessed, which she considers of some interest to the investigation.
Like she said before, she was alerted to Madeleine’s disappearance between 10.30 and 11 p.m. She was at home and was informed about the event through a telephone call. She immediately went to the Ocean Club, where she arrived only minutes before the GNR officers. When she arrived at the resort, she went immediately to apartment 5A, where she met several persons both on the inside and on the outside of the apartment. She went into the apartment but left it right away without speaking to anyone, because she was informed that the GNR officers were at the main reception, so she went to meet them.
When she arrived near the GNR officers, she verified that Gerry, Madeleine’s father, was behind her, in the company of another individual whose identity she doesn’t remember. At that moment, Gerry placed both knees on the floor, hit the floor with both hands, too, placing himself like a praying arab, and shouted out twice in rage, and it was not possible to understand what he said. Then Gerry got back on his feet and accompanied the deponent and the other individual who was in the GNR car, to apartment 5A.
Already on location, the deponent entered the apartment and asked those who were present both for the passports of all family members and photographs of the missing person. The deponent walked Gerry to the GNR car, so he could deliver the requested documents. She states that she carried out these diligences, and other diligences, at the request of the GNR Commander as they used the deponent’s knowledge of the English language to translate the questions that were asked from the missing person’s family members, and the answers that were given. She remembers that Gerry gave the GNR Commander several photographs of the missing person. These were postcard-type photographs, taking their size and shape into account. They were actually photographs of the size and shape of a postcard, and they seemed to be all similar to her.
She also realised that from the very first moment on, both Gerry and the rest of the group members insisted in stating that Madeleine had been abducted, all of them using the word “abducted” instead of missing, and they all showed great interest in informing the press about the situation.
The deponent further recalls that she entered the room where Madeleine had been sleeping. She now remembers that the door was closed. The inside of the room was dark. The shutters were down, and light entered only through its holes. The windows were closed and the curtains slightly open. Gerry, who accompanied the deponent during this visit, with the GNR officers also present, said that it had been him who had closed the window because the babies were still sleeping inside, which the deponent could verify as true. Gerry mentioned that when he noticed that Madeleine was missing, he had found the window and shutters open, and the curtains fluttering.
The deponent recalls that the cots that were used by the babies were placed in the middle of the room and aligned, and therefore she found it strange that someone could have taken Madeleine from the bed where she was sleeping up to the window, because there was no space to get through. The deponent opened the bedroom’s wardrobe to check if eventually Madeleine was hiding inside. Then they all left the room, and someone closed its door again. The deponent remained in the living room for a while, with the GNR officers, Gerry and the other group members that were there in a frenzy, going in and out and speaking on their mobile phones. She noticed that none of the group members, including the child’s mother and father, were busy looking for her. The mother was sitting on the master bedroom’s bed, the father accompanied the deponent and the GNR officers and the other group members walked in and out and spoke on the phone, apparently concerned about informing the press about the event.
She thought that the child’s mother was downbeat with the situation, the father showed his concern and also asked both for the press to be alerted and for dogs to be brought in for the search. Concerning the others, she can only recall that Fiona and her husband, Payne, were hysterical about the situation. At a given moment, right after the PJ’s elements arrived, the child’s parents removed the twins from the cots where they still slept, and took them into the apartment on the first floor. At Kate’s request, the deponent removed the soft toys and a blanket from the cots, and also took them to the first floor. The babies’ cots were left only with the mattresses.
The deponent also wishes to mention that at around 3 a.m. Madeleine’s parents asked for the presence of a priest on location. They didn’t explain the reason why they wanted a priest, but the deponent found the fact strange as there were no indications that the little girl was dead, and that’s the circumstance under which usually the presence of a priest is requested.
At a given moment, the deponent translated the deposition from one of the ladies that belonged to the group of English people, namely one that she indicates as being a brunette. This lady told the GNR officers, and the deponent translated, that she had seen a man crossing the road, possibly carrying a child. The deponent found that situation strange because she was convinced that when she saw this man, the lady was positioned in a spot that has no viewing angle to the location where she had seen the man. She doesn’t know exactly where the lady was positioned when she saw the man passing by, but she knows that she indicated that she saw him passing on the street that lies in front of the window to the bedroom where Madeleine was, walking into the direction of the street that leads to the Baptista supermarket.
When questioned about the clothes that the English group members wore that night, she mentions that she only remembers that Fiona wore a green blouse, Gerry wore a dark coloured shirt, and Fiona’s husband wore light-coloured trousers, she thinks cream-coloured.
And she stated nothing further.”
Pages 1409 – 1412
Witness Statement
Marina Paulo Raposo Batista Castela
Date: 2007 – 05 – 16
Place of Work: Ocean Club
Occupation: General Manager
She comes to the process as a witness. She heard about the disappearance on 4th May when she arrived at work at about 09.30.
She saw the suspect, Robert Murat, for the first time on that day at about 12.30 when the witness went to meet GNR officers whom she cannot identify, to open the doors for them and speak to guests staying in apartments in block 6. The objective was for the police to talk to these guests and show them the photo of the girl and establish whether they had any information that could lead to discovering her whereabouts.
When she was beginning this task together with GNR officers, this individual appeared, she does not know from where, he immediately saw what operations were going on, speaking ostensibly to the guests from the first two apartments, explaining to them what they were doing there, showing much will and anxiety in the transmission of this information.
Given his behaviour, for a few minutes the witness thought that he belonged to one of the security forces, namely the PJ.
The GNR officer who was with them did not speak and English nor say anything.
After the second apartment, the witness says that Robert’s attitude was not the most correct, as he spoke to the guests in a very dry and affirmative way and she took the initiative to introduce herself to the clients, not letting him speak.
She thanks that is the reason why he immediately disappeared and did not accompany them to the rest of the apartments.
During the time he was with them that afternoon, several times he said how sorry he was about Madeleine’s disappearance, that he had a daughter of the same age and that we had to do everything possible to find the girl.
She had not seen this individual before this incident and knows nothing about him or his lifestyle.
She only saw him again on the morning of 7th May when she came to make statements to the PJ officers in apartment 6 of block 6. She was in the building between 11.00 and 13.30 and remembers that the individual entered and left the building at free will. They said hello to each other and did not speak any further that day.
On the following day 8th May, when she took some cleaning staff to the PJ station for questioning, Robert went to her and greeted her with two kisses. He asked her name. She did not see him again that day and thinks he was with the PJ officers.
She saw him again the following day 9th May at about 10.30 at the PJ station. At that moment he approached her and said the witness was known by a friend of his, Michaela. The witness confirmed this fact.
After this day she saw him no further. Apart from the contacts she had with him she had seen him on other occasions from a distance, in the company of journalists.
When questioned, she said that she knows Michaela (she has a German surname which the witness cannot pronounce) who lives behind the Del Rei restaurant in Lagos for the past 10 years.
They got to know each other through both being Jehovah’s witnesses and frequenting the same church, opposite the financial building in Lagos.
That she would attend the meetings with her boyfriend at that time, called Luis Antonio. Afterwards they got married and went to live in the apartment where they still both reside. She does not know whether they are still married today.
She knows that about 3 years ago, Michaela left home and went to live with another man near Faro, the witness does not know whom this individual was. She does know that Michaela was away for a little while, returning home.
Since that time (about 3 years ago) she has not had any further contact with Michaela because she was disassociated from the Jehovah’s witnesses of her own will and due to the reasons mentioned above.
That about 2 or 3 months ago she was readmitted to the JW . last Sunday, on 13th May they were together at a meeting where she was with her daughter. They greeted each other and the witness told her that she had met her partner, Robert. She confirmed that they had a business together on the Internet and that he had come to live in Portugal to expand his business, having arrived recently.
The witness says that he went to help the police in P da L with the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. She (MW) said that this was typical of him, to want to help. She added that he had even delayed medical tests in the UK in order to be in Portugal and accompany the investigation. Michaela appeared a bit displeased, due to the fact that their Internet business had experienced delays.
She does not know whether Michaela had a relationship with Robert as he was never referred to on this level and she never saw them together.
When asked about Michaela’s personality, the witness said she was a very cold person namely in the interpersonal relationships with her mother in law, daughter and with friends. At the time she was married to Luis Antonio (whom she still lives with) she did not work and liked to take care of her appearance. Given the coldness of her personality, they never had a close relationship.
The she speaks, Portuguese, German and English well. She says she had good computer skills. She has not seen her in the OC area for almost 7 years, which is when she came to live with Luis Antonio, who cleaned the resort pool.
Recently Michaela has been working in real estate companies. At this moment, as far as the witness knows, she has a home selling business with Robert on Internet and that they are in the process of expansion, to include other services.
She recognises Robert as the man presented as a suspect in the abduction of Madeleine on the television during the last days and as resident of Casa Liliana situated close to where the events occurred.
According to what Michaela told her, he spends a lot of time in England. Due to the witness’s profession she passed by the house every day (the OC has various lost nearby, called Palm Bay) and she has never seen that man there, which makes her think that he spent a lot of time abroad or in another place.
As far as she knows, Michaela was also in the UK with her daughter during the carnival holiday in 2007.
No more is said. Reads, ratifies, signs.
Translated by Astro:
Vol VIII
Pages 1975 - 1977
Witness Statement
Silvia Batista
2007 - 07 - 26
“Concerning the matter of the process, the witness said:
That she has given statements for several times within the process, and remembers the contents of what she stated before, therefore reproducing the contents of the previous statements into this statement.
The deponent offers another statement because with the passage of time, since Madeleine’s disappearance, she has remembered some details of the facts that she witnessed, which she considers of some interest to the investigation.
Like she said before, she was alerted to Madeleine’s disappearance between 10.30 and 11 p.m. She was at home and was informed about the event through a telephone call. She immediately went to the Ocean Club, where she arrived only minutes before the GNR officers. When she arrived at the resort, she went immediately to apartment 5A, where she met several persons both on the inside and on the outside of the apartment. She went into the apartment but left it right away without speaking to anyone, because she was informed that the GNR officers were at the main reception, so she went to meet them.
When she arrived near the GNR officers, she verified that Gerry, Madeleine’s father, was behind her, in the company of another individual whose identity she doesn’t remember. At that moment, Gerry placed both knees on the floor, hit the floor with both hands, too, placing himself like a praying arab, and shouted out twice in rage, and it was not possible to understand what he said. Then Gerry got back on his feet and accompanied the deponent and the other individual who was in the GNR car, to apartment 5A.
Already on location, the deponent entered the apartment and asked those who were present both for the passports of all family members and photographs of the missing person. The deponent walked Gerry to the GNR car, so he could deliver the requested documents. She states that she carried out these diligences, and other diligences, at the request of the GNR Commander as they used the deponent’s knowledge of the English language to translate the questions that were asked from the missing person’s family members, and the answers that were given. She remembers that Gerry gave the GNR Commander several photographs of the missing person. These were postcard-type photographs, taking their size and shape into account. They were actually photographs of the size and shape of a postcard, and they seemed to be all similar to her.
She also realised that from the very first moment on, both Gerry and the rest of the group members insisted in stating that Madeleine had been abducted, all of them using the word “abducted” instead of missing, and they all showed great interest in informing the press about the situation.
The deponent further recalls that she entered the room where Madeleine had been sleeping. She now remembers that the door was closed. The inside of the room was dark. The shutters were down, and light entered only through its holes. The windows were closed and the curtains slightly open. Gerry, who accompanied the deponent during this visit, with the GNR officers also present, said that it had been him who had closed the window because the babies were still sleeping inside, which the deponent could verify as true. Gerry mentioned that when he noticed that Madeleine was missing, he had found the window and shutters open, and the curtains fluttering.
The deponent recalls that the cots that were used by the babies were placed in the middle of the room and aligned, and therefore she found it strange that someone could have taken Madeleine from the bed where she was sleeping up to the window, because there was no space to get through. The deponent opened the bedroom’s wardrobe to check if eventually Madeleine was hiding inside. Then they all left the room, and someone closed its door again. The deponent remained in the living room for a while, with the GNR officers, Gerry and the other group members that were there in a frenzy, going in and out and speaking on their mobile phones. She noticed that none of the group members, including the child’s mother and father, were busy looking for her. The mother was sitting on the master bedroom’s bed, the father accompanied the deponent and the GNR officers and the other group members walked in and out and spoke on the phone, apparently concerned about informing the press about the event.
She thought that the child’s mother was downbeat with the situation, the father showed his concern and also asked both for the press to be alerted and for dogs to be brought in for the search. Concerning the others, she can only recall that Fiona and her husband, Payne, were hysterical about the situation. At a given moment, right after the PJ’s elements arrived, the child’s parents removed the twins from the cots where they still slept, and took them into the apartment on the first floor. At Kate’s request, the deponent removed the soft toys and a blanket from the cots, and also took them to the first floor. The babies’ cots were left only with the mattresses.
The deponent also wishes to mention that at around 3 a.m. Madeleine’s parents asked for the presence of a priest on location. They didn’t explain the reason why they wanted a priest, but the deponent found the fact strange as there were no indications that the little girl was dead, and that’s the circumstance under which usually the presence of a priest is requested.
At a given moment, the deponent translated the deposition from one of the ladies that belonged to the group of English people, namely one that she indicates as being a brunette. This lady told the GNR officers, and the deponent translated, that she had seen a man crossing the road, possibly carrying a child. The deponent found that situation strange because she was convinced that when she saw this man, the lady was positioned in a spot that has no viewing angle to the location where she had seen the man. She doesn’t know exactly where the lady was positioned when she saw the man passing by, but she knows that she indicated that she saw him passing on the street that lies in front of the window to the bedroom where Madeleine was, walking into the direction of the street that leads to the Baptista supermarket.
When questioned about the clothes that the English group members wore that night, she mentions that she only remembers that Fiona wore a green blouse, Gerry wore a dark coloured shirt, and Fiona’s husband wore light-coloured trousers, she thinks cream-coloured.
And she stated nothing further.”
Info- Golden Poster
- Number of posts : 767
Warning :
Registration date : 2009-02-05
Re: Mark Warner/Ocean Club Staff Statements
Info Sat 20 Feb - 11:58
Processos Volume III
Pages 789-791
Witness Statement
Elisa Angela Dias Romao
Date: 2007.05.09
Time: 11H55
Professions: Reception Worker, Luz Ocean Club
That she comes to the process as a witness.
The witness works at the Luz Ocean Club, on contract. Her functions include attending to the reception area of the Garden Club (where the Millenium restaurant is found).
This is the second period in which she has worked for the LOC, always in the same role.
Her days off are Sundays and Mondays.
Regarding the investigation, the witness states that she became aware of the same, on Friday. That morning, when she showed up for work, she heard talk that a British child had disappeared the night prior and that since then no one knows of her whereabouts.
With relation to the other elements gathered afterwards, the witness confirms that she became aware of them via the media and other talk between the guests and colleagues.
She firmly believes that no one knows precisely how everything happened.
Regarding the group linked to the couple and the missing child and her two siblings, she only became aware afterwards that Madeleine’s siblings were twins. The witness remembers seeing them in the Garden Club, near the pool and the Tapas restaurant.
They appeared a normal family, as did the entire group. She did not notice any strange or suspicious details.
When questioned, the witness clarifies that she worked at the Garden Club reception on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at a time covering the lunch hour. She remembers seeing the couple with their children as they had to pass the reception to leave the area. She next saw them head in the direction of the apartment where the witness believes they had lunch.
She believes that they left always between 12H30 and 13H00.
Around 14H00 the couple would return around 14H00, in fact, most of the couples would return their children to the crèche around this time. She does not know if the three McCann children were together given their different ages.
When questioned, the witness states that the parents would spend the majority of the time inside the Garden Club, in activities such as playing tennis, as they were a group of four couples (the reservation was always made for 9 adults). They would only all meet together for dinner.
The couple would only leave the Garden Club after the children’s tea, which was served by the nannies in that area around 17H00/18H00.
It was only after this period that they would leave with the children in the direction of their respective apartments.
Questioned, states that she was left with the notion that the four couples always took their children when they went out or that they (the children) never left the area without their parents.
Her normal working day was from 09.00 – 17.00 and therefore she was never present when the group was dining.
Her working day was normal that day and she did not see anything of interest to the investigation.
On this same day at around 17H30, she remembers that she left the reception to collect her earnings and she does not remember having seen Madeleine or her parents enter or in the interior of the TAPAS.
She returned to the reception around 19H00 and finished work shortly afterwards. She became aware of the disappearance the next day (Friday) via a colleague.
Questioned, she does not remember if this year someone entered the reception or frequented the pool or restaurant without having the authorisation to do so. In past years, namely the past year, various children and adults have entered without authorisation, intending to use the pool.
She has never noticed any individuals or vehicles in the immediate areas of the resort that appeared suspicious or abnormal.
Likewise, she does not remember anyone questioning her regarding the functioning of the resort or in particular about the functioning of the children’s services.
And nothing more was said.
Volume 7 pages 1841 to 1842
Witness statement: Najoua Chekaya
Date: 20 June 2007 Time: 16h00 Place: Praia da Luz - Lagos
Officer: Jose Ricardo, Inspector
To the matter at hand she said:
--- She appears as a witness. Being a British national she does not not know the Portuguese
language in oral or written form, there being present, therefore, an interpreter Sra. Lidia N., PJ
employee/officer from DRPD/ADT.
--- In accordance with the statements made by her in this case, on 9 May 2007, she confirms it
having been on the Tuesday, 1 May 2007, that she was invited to the table of the group of which
the McCann couple were part, by Gerry himself.
--- That she recalls there being an empty place [seat] at the table, not being certain if it had been
Madeleine's mother's place given that she is not sure if they had met each other there at that time.
--- The photographs of the group of the McCann's friends having been shown to her, the deponent
declares that from those photos seen she has some reservations about David Payne [in that] while
she thinks he was also there, she had not noted his presence.
--- The question asked she declares not being certain who was missing from the group.
Nothing more said. Read, ratifies and will sign, together with the interpreter who assisted her.
Pages 789-791
Witness Statement
Elisa Angela Dias Romao
Date: 2007.05.09
Time: 11H55
Professions: Reception Worker, Luz Ocean Club
That she comes to the process as a witness.
The witness works at the Luz Ocean Club, on contract. Her functions include attending to the reception area of the Garden Club (where the Millenium restaurant is found).
This is the second period in which she has worked for the LOC, always in the same role.
Her days off are Sundays and Mondays.
Regarding the investigation, the witness states that she became aware of the same, on Friday. That morning, when she showed up for work, she heard talk that a British child had disappeared the night prior and that since then no one knows of her whereabouts.
With relation to the other elements gathered afterwards, the witness confirms that she became aware of them via the media and other talk between the guests and colleagues.
She firmly believes that no one knows precisely how everything happened.
Regarding the group linked to the couple and the missing child and her two siblings, she only became aware afterwards that Madeleine’s siblings were twins. The witness remembers seeing them in the Garden Club, near the pool and the Tapas restaurant.
They appeared a normal family, as did the entire group. She did not notice any strange or suspicious details.
When questioned, the witness clarifies that she worked at the Garden Club reception on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at a time covering the lunch hour. She remembers seeing the couple with their children as they had to pass the reception to leave the area. She next saw them head in the direction of the apartment where the witness believes they had lunch.
She believes that they left always between 12H30 and 13H00.
Around 14H00 the couple would return around 14H00, in fact, most of the couples would return their children to the crèche around this time. She does not know if the three McCann children were together given their different ages.
When questioned, the witness states that the parents would spend the majority of the time inside the Garden Club, in activities such as playing tennis, as they were a group of four couples (the reservation was always made for 9 adults). They would only all meet together for dinner.
The couple would only leave the Garden Club after the children’s tea, which was served by the nannies in that area around 17H00/18H00.
It was only after this period that they would leave with the children in the direction of their respective apartments.
Questioned, states that she was left with the notion that the four couples always took their children when they went out or that they (the children) never left the area without their parents.
Her normal working day was from 09.00 – 17.00 and therefore she was never present when the group was dining.
Her working day was normal that day and she did not see anything of interest to the investigation.
On this same day at around 17H30, she remembers that she left the reception to collect her earnings and she does not remember having seen Madeleine or her parents enter or in the interior of the TAPAS.
She returned to the reception around 19H00 and finished work shortly afterwards. She became aware of the disappearance the next day (Friday) via a colleague.
Questioned, she does not remember if this year someone entered the reception or frequented the pool or restaurant without having the authorisation to do so. In past years, namely the past year, various children and adults have entered without authorisation, intending to use the pool.
She has never noticed any individuals or vehicles in the immediate areas of the resort that appeared suspicious or abnormal.
Likewise, she does not remember anyone questioning her regarding the functioning of the resort or in particular about the functioning of the children’s services.
And nothing more was said.
Volume 7 pages 1841 to 1842
Witness statement: Najoua Chekaya
Date: 20 June 2007 Time: 16h00 Place: Praia da Luz - Lagos
Officer: Jose Ricardo, Inspector
To the matter at hand she said:
--- She appears as a witness. Being a British national she does not not know the Portuguese
language in oral or written form, there being present, therefore, an interpreter Sra. Lidia N., PJ
employee/officer from DRPD/ADT.
--- In accordance with the statements made by her in this case, on 9 May 2007, she confirms it
having been on the Tuesday, 1 May 2007, that she was invited to the table of the group of which
the McCann couple were part, by Gerry himself.
--- That she recalls there being an empty place [seat] at the table, not being certain if it had been
Madeleine's mother's place given that she is not sure if they had met each other there at that time.
--- The photographs of the group of the McCann's friends having been shown to her, the deponent
declares that from those photos seen she has some reservations about David Payne [in that] while
she thinks he was also there, she had not noted his presence.
--- The question asked she declares not being certain who was missing from the group.
Nothing more said. Read, ratifies and will sign, together with the interpreter who assisted her.
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