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The Britsh tourist was arrested by police |
A
BRITISH tourist has been arrested in Portugal on suspicion of taking
inappropriate photographs of children at a beach on the Algarve.
The
48-year-old man was held after three sets of parents noticed him taking
pictures of youngsters playing on the sands.
Police said they found a number of photos of children, some as young as
eight, on his camera.
He
was arrested at the popular resort of Vilamoura by the Maritime Police
on Thursday afternoon.
The
beach is about 50 miles east of
Praia da Luz, the resort from which
Madeleine
McCann
disappeared in May 2007. The mystery of her
disappearance has never been solved.
Commander Marques Ferreira said: “A 48-year-old Englishman was seen
photographing children on the beach at Marinotel in Vilamoura and was
arrested.”
He
added: “We were able to verify the existence of many photographs of
children aged between eight and 15.”
A
police source added: “Witnesses said the man pointed his camera several
times at children who were playing in the sand by the water.” One
holidaymaker said: “When the police arrived on the beach they were able
to see the man still taking photos.”
The
suspect, who has not been named, appeared in court in the nearby town of
Loule yesterday morning.
The
investigation was continuing, said a police spokesman.
Earlier this month another man was arrested for taking inappropriate
photographs of children who were playing naked on a beach nearby.
The
40-year-old was detained by local police at the Cavalo Preto beach, just
outside Vilamoura, after he failed to offer an explanation for his
actions. |