The State of Us - Irish woman who accused Madeleine McCann suspect of rape says he could’ve been stopped
Download Irish woman who accused Madeleine McCann suspect of rape says he could’ve been stopped
Hazel Behan was working as a travel rep in Portugal in 2004; she was 20 years old.
She was asleep in her bed, when an intruder broke into her apartment, and subjected her to a brutal and horrific rape attack.
Years later, when she saw a photograph in a news report of the chief suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, Christian Brückner, her world was once again turned upside down.
Convinced he was the same man that attacked her, she went to the police and eventually the case went to a German court.
The convicted paedophile and rapist was acquitted of her rape last year.
In The State of Us podcast, Hazel tells Tara Mills and Declan Harvey about how difficult that verdict was for her, and how her fight for justice continues.
This podcast contains descriptions of sexual violence. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline
Get in touch: thestateofus@bbc.co.uk
Published on Thursday, 5th June 2025.
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