Maddie suspect is released from German prison

CONVICTED RAPIST MUST WEAR TAG FOR FIVE YEARS

- By STAFF REPORTER

THE prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been released from prison in Germany.

German national Christian Brueckner had been serving a seven-year prison sentence for the rape of an elderly woman at her home in Praia da Luz in 2005.

The Met said the 49-year-old remains a suspect in its own investigation, with Portuguese and German authorities also probing the three-year-old's disappearance.

Madeleine, from Rothley, vanished in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007, shortly after she was left sleeping by her parents, Kate and Gerry, who went for dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Brueckner left the high-security prison in Sehnde near Hanover just after 9.15am German time (8.15am BST) yesterday, German police said.

He will have to wear an electronic ankle tag for the next five years.