Shropshire StarFace of Maddy quiz manWednesday 27th May 2009, 11:30AM BST
Today the Shropshire Star publishes the first new picture of former Shropshire paedophile Raymond Hewlett since his name was highlighted in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Hewlett, 64, who used to live in Woodside, Telford, denies any involvement in the case of the missing girl and has offered to speak to British detectives working for Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.
He was living in southern Portugal when the three-year-old girl disappeared from a holiday apartment on May 3, 2007.
He is now living in Germany where he was confronted by reporters outside a hospital in Aachen where he is being treated for throat cancer.
Hewlett, who looked drawn and haggard, with long and thinning gray hair, protested his innocence as he sat in a wheelchair.
After repeated questions by reporters, he swore at them, got up from his wheelchair and ran inside the building.
Hewlett has indicated he was prepared to meet former British policemen Dave Edgar and Arthur Cowley, who want to eliminate him from their inquiries.
The private detectives flew home yesterday after their attempts to talk to Hewlett foundered.
Clarence Mitchell, McCann family spokesman, said the detectives were pleased Hewlett had agreed to speak to them and an interview would be arranged in due course.
The ex-car dealer was living about an hour’s drive from the McCanns’ holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in 2007. Madeleine disappeared while her parents dined with friends nearby.
Hewlett was jailed for kidnapping a schoolgirl in Cheshire while living in Wellsfield, Woodside. He was also convicted of several offences against young girls, and received a six-year jail sentence in 1988.
Meanwhile, the hunt for Madeleine has switched back to Portugal, according to newspaper reports today.
Investigators who have carried out a case review said they were focusing on a paedophile still living in the area.
A source close to the inquiry is reported as saying the suspect had a rented flat in Praia da Luz and was of “significant interest”.
