Christian Brueckner’s arrest sparked a new round of controversy over privacy laws because his own list of past offenses is exceptionally long. According to a report in The Independent, he has at least 17 prior convictions to date.
Brueckner was first convicted of a serious offense as a juvenile in 1994 after he sexually abused a child (via the Daily Mail). He has also served several stints in prison for dealing drugs, possession of child pornography, and child molestation. In addition to various sexual and drug-related offenses, Brueckner has often been in trouble with the police for burglary. In 2005, Brueckner was intent on stealing from the resort where the McCanns lost their daughter; while there, he raped a 72-year-old woman and filmed the incident on camera.
Finally, this year Brueckner was charged with five more counts of rape and sexual assault in Portugal (via CBS News). The youngest of his alleged victims was just 10 years old when she was attacked on the beach.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).