Secret codes protect internet perverts
Jonathan Corke
15 May 2011
Daily Star
British detectives are investigating a secretive paedophile internet network over encrypted messages about Madeleine McCann. Police, alongside intelligence experts and the McCanns' own investigators, are probing a series of posts made about the youngster on a sickos' web forum.
In the posts - which have been seen by the Daily Star Sunday - the perverts revel in describing abuse missing Maddie may have suffered. Chillingly, they also talk of her being "deleted" and "offed". Other sick messages on the site - which is heavily encrypted - include talk of drugging and killing children. And concealed behind names such as "Lolitrixlover" and "justinsa2008" the perverts appear to post without fear of being caught.
But detectives are determined to crack the codes. Both Leicestershire Police - Madeleine's local force - and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre are involved. A CEOP spokeswoman said: "Our experts will try and find out where these people are located." Much of the material is too disgusting to publish.
As well as talk about Madeleine, who was three when she vanished from Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, the online perverts also discuss the case of missing 12-year-old American girl Lindsey Baum, from McCleary, Washington State. An internet crime expert who uncovered the site said: "The content is horrific. Whoever these people are, they need to be caught." Detectives from Scotland Yard are also expected to study the material.
Prime Minister David Cameron declared last week that the Yard will launch a new investigation into the Madeleine case. Last night it was announced that Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, from the Met's elite Homicide and Serious Crime Command, will head the new probe. The crack detective is an expert in cold case reviews and previously snared killer Miguel da Silva 15 years after he strangled Susan Martin, 44, in Notting Hill, west London, in 1994.
Meanwhile it is hoped Kate McCann's book on the case, which went on sale last week, will generate new leads. The McCanns, from Rothley, Leics, have been busy doing interviews to try to boost sales. On Friday they gave an interview on the Late Late Show in Ireland. But they faced an awkward moment when host Ryan Tubridy claimed a "section of the audience" suspected the McCanns of involvement in Maddie's disappearance. Gerry, 42, said: "Read the book" before Kate, 43, replied: "Everything is in there."
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