A woman who called the main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case a few hours after she disappeared was a member of a paedophile ring, it was claimed in court . Helge Busching said that the woman provided convicted rapist Christian Brueckner with girls. And he claimed that a 13-year-old who was recorded being raped by Brueckner while being tied to a post had been supplied by the woman. In a German court Mr Busching has been giving evidence as Brueckner, 47, stands accused of unrelated sex offences. He reportedly told judges: “I was told Christian Brueckner brought a woman washing machines and instead of paying him for it, she provided him with young girls.” Brueckner phoned the woman, who cannot be named under German law, following the disappearance of Madeleine from where she was staying with her family in Praia da Luz in May, 2007. The woman was interviewed by German
police and Brueckner told her that same night that he was driving in his camper van to her home that is 20 miles from Praia da Luz from Tomar in central Portugal. Madeleine McCann reservoir cops testing key evidence for link to suspect's camper van Madeleine disappeared in Praia da Luz in May, 2007 ( Image: PA) Also giving evidence in court was Michael Tatschl, 50, who said that he believed Madeleine was taken by Bruekner to be sold to a paedophile ring, while he has also previously said that he believed the suspect killed her. He responded by saying it was his “suspicion” that Bruekner had taken Madeleine to be sold as he “wanted money”, Mr Tatschl said in court, and that the paedophile ring was most likely to be based in Morocco. He also, reported The Sun , told Braunschweig regional court: “Brueckner broke into houses, tourists’ houses, at night when they were not there. And he would even break in when they were sleeping and also if they were up on the first or second floors.” He added: “He told me he once went into a room when three teenage girls were sleeping and he went in naked. A girl woke up and screamed.” Meanwhile any prospect of a future trial in the McCann case has suffered a potential blow as Mr Busching, key witness, has been diagnosed with
cancer. The 53-year-old "does not have long" to live following the bombshell. The man had initially reported Brueckner to police after asking him about the
British girl and allegedly being told: "She didn't scream." But the prosecutors' office has said recorded testimonies could ultimately be read out during Madeleine's case if required. Brueckner has always denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.