Convicted paedophile and rapist Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, has been cleared of sex offences by a German judge.
On Tuesday, Uta Inse Engemann, the presiding judge, said the evidence against Brueckner was “insufficient” and acquitted him of all charges.
It sparked particular concern for the prosecution that she made this comment before it had finished giving its evidence.
The prosecution has now moved to have Ms Engemann removed due to alleged bias.
A prosecution motion for prejudice claimed that by making the previous announcement, she had hinted at a preconceived intent to acquit Brueckner.
Ms Engemann’s verdict can now be appealed by the prosecution if by taken to Germany’s Supreme Court, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe.
There will be a retrial using a different judge if this court rules in their favour.
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
