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Madeleine McCann's sister speaks publicly about case for first time

Amelie attended a prayer gathering
Amelie attended a prayer gathering

The sister of Madeleine McCann has spoken about her for the first time in public on the 16th anniversary of the three-year-old's disappearance.

Amelie, now 18, was welcomed along with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, by locals and supporters during an informal prayer gathering in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire.

"It’s nice that everyone is here together but it’s a sad occasion," she said. Her twin brother, Sean, did not attend.

Amelie took her turn to light a candle for Madeleine and other missing children at the war memorial where pictures of her sister adorned the black railing and where a lantern of hope still glows around the clock for her.

Amelie lit a candle for missing children
Amelie lit a candle for missing children
Kate and Gerry McCann joined in prayers but neither addressed the crowds
Kate and Gerry McCann joined in prayers but neither addressed the crowds

Mrs McCann, wearing black jeans and a blue jacket, joined in prayers but neither she nor her husband addressed the crowds.

A close friend of the McCanns, Fiona Payne, who was on the holiday in Portugal when Madeleine vanished in 2007, read out a poem.

The Rev Rob Gladstone, who led prayers at the informal outdoor, told the congregation: “We are here this evening to show our loving concern for Madeleine and for all young children who have been taken away from their families against their will.

“We are also here to encourage one another to keep up hope and pray for a renewal of strength even after this long time.”

Madeleine vanished in Portugal in 2007
Madeleine vanished in Portugal in 2007

Amelie, accompanied by her friend Georgina, joined in repeating mantras read out by individual people in the 70-strong crowd including “Never never give up”, “leave no stone unturned”, “don’t forget about me” and “still missing, still missed."

German police have been intent on charging prime suspect Christian Brueckner - who was named nearly three years ago - with Madeleine's kidnap and “no body” murder.

But it recently emerged that the convicted paedophile may never face a trial over the case because of a legal technicality over foreign courts' jurisdiction.

Brueckner, 45, is serving a sentence in a German jail for the rape of an American tourist in the same Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz from where Madeleine vanished in May 2007.

Brueckner is currently in a German jail
Brueckner is currently in a German jail

He has vehemently denied any involvement in her abduction.

No suspects have ever been charged in connection with the world’s most talked about missing child mysteries.

Police have recently asked the Home Office for more money to keep their investigation, codenamed Operation Grange and which has cost the taxpayer £13 million so far, going. Their request is set to be approved by a Special Grants committee.

Madeleine vanished nine days before her fourth birthday from a holiday apartment in the popular Algarve destination while she was left sleeping with her younger twin siblings. At the time her parents were dining with friends in a nearby tapas restaurant.

Mr McCann, a heart doctor, and Mrs McCann, a former GP turned medical worker with dementia sufferers, both 55, have previously said: "We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know as we need to find peace."