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Precious photographs of missing Madeleine
McCann were back with her father Gerry last night after his
stolen wallet was sent back to him.
The family revealed yesterday that the wallet, containing
two irreplaceable photographs of the kidnapped
four-year-old, was returned in the past few days.
It had been stolen from Gerry’s pocket by a thief on June 22
only an hour after he had arrived in London to help with the
hunt for Madeleine, who was snatched 60 days ago. It
contained two unpublished pictures showing Madeleine aged
15 months and another taken more recently.
The photographs were so precious to Gerry, 39, he always
kept them with him and he was distraught at losing them.
His sister described the theft as a “demoralising” sign of
the times and urged the thief to return the wallet. “I hope
whoever took the wallet is so ashamed when they realise what
they’ve just done that they get those pictures back to
us as soon as possible,” said Philomena McCann.
It’s a bit of good news, which we haven’t had for some time
Late last week, the wallet was sent back anonymously to the
McCann’s Leicestershire home.
The £100 that Gerry, a specialist heart doctor, had just
taken from a cash machine at Waterloo when the thief struck,
was not inside.
The leather wallet was then returned to Gerry on Friday by
friends visiting the family in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Gerry
said yesterday: “It had been returned, needless to say
minus the sterling, although all my cards and 30 euros were
still in it. It is good to have my driving licence back.
“But the photographs are the most important things. I’m so
glad to have got them back.”
The package was postmarked June 22, the day the wallet was
stolen. There was no note inside.
Brian Kennedy, Madeleine’s great uncle, said: “From what we
can tell, it was posted about 8.15pm on the evening it was
stolen. Either someone with a conscience had realised who
they had stolen it from and decided to return it, or it was
discarded by the thief and sent to us by someone who found
it.
“It’s a bit of good news, which we haven’t had for some
time.”
Gerry and wife Kate, 38, with two-year-old twins Sean and
Amelie, have been staying at an apartment a few doors from
the holiday flat from which Madeleine was taken on May 3.
But yesterday, they were finalising plans to move to a
nearby private villa, where they will lead the campaign to
find Madeleine and other missing children.
The couple were being helped by friends packing boxes for
the move, including thousands of letters sent by
well-wishers .
Gerry said: “We have confirmed our new accommodation and
will be moving in the next few days. We seem to have
acquired a lot more stuff, particularly the twins with lots
of well-wishers sending them toys.
“We will be staying on in Portugal for the immediate future
and we’re determined to come home with Madeleine.” |
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