Madeleine McCann suspect acquitted in separate rape and abuse trial

Christian Brückner was found not guilty in Germany of three charges of aggravated rape and two of sexual abuse

Christian Brueckner, centre, has been found not guilty (Michael Matthey/dpa via AP)

The main suspect in the disappearance of the British toddler Madeleine McCann has been found not guilty of all charges in a separate rape and sexual abuse case.

Christian Brückner was acquitted by the district court in Braunschweig, northern Germany, of three charges of aggravated rape and two of sexual abuse of children in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. The 47-year-old could “not be convicted of the acts he is accused of”, the presiding judge, Uta Engemann, said.