Agony for McCanns as Maddie suspect 'plans to disappear'

Lawyer: He may change face so no one recognises him

- PATRICK HILL, MARTIN FRICKER and ROB HYDE

THE fading hopes of Christian Brueckner ever being charged over Madeleine McCann could be dashed if he flees Europe.

His lawyer warned the German rapist and pedophile plans to change his appearance and head to a nation that has no extradition to his homeland or the UK.

Philipp Marquort said: "Sometimes he wants to stay here in Germany, sometimes he wants to leave Europe.

"If I were him I would leave and look for a state which doesn't extradite to Europe or Great Britain, maybe like Suriname."

Brueckner's bid to put himself beyond justice is a fresh blow for Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry, who have had setback after setback in the search for truth.

He may also sue prosecutors in Germany after they have been unable to prove he snatched her on the Algarve in May 2007, despite naming him as prime suspect.

I would leave and go to a state that doesn't extradite to Europe

In our exclusive interview at his office in Kiel, northern Germany, Marquort said that the 43-year-old speaks good English and Portuguese, which would help him to adopt a new identity.

He added: "We talked about the possibility of changing his appearance. I would get a face operation if I were him. I mentioned it would be nice for him to change how he looks so nobody can recognise him anymore.

"Right now he doesn't have any money to do that.