Court Reveals Alleged McCann Stalker Reached Out to Madeleine’s Sister
Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing child Madeleine McCann, provided poignant testimony in the trial against Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg. The defendants face stalking charges concerning the McCann family, with incidents dating from June 2022 to February 2024.
Courtroom Statements
During Wednesday’s proceedings at Leicester Crown Court, Kate McCann described how Wandelt’s attempts to contact her daughter Amelie were “the final straw,” prompting her to alert law enforcement. McCann testified from behind a privacy screen, a standard measure to protect victims in such cases.
Kate’s testimony revealed her fear when confronted by the defendants outside their family home in December 2024. The court was informed that Wandelt’s prior communications and aggressive confrontations had caused significant distress.
Allegations Against the Defendants
Wandelt, 24, and Spragg, 61, are each charged with stalking. The case centers on repeated unwanted contact with the McCann family, culminating in a face-to-face confrontation outside their residence.
- Date of Incidents: June 2022 to February 2024
- First Stalking Contact: Reported by Wandelt to various parties, claiming to be Madeleine.
- In-person Confrontation: Occurred outside the McCann home on December 7, 2024.
Kate McCann expressed her disbelief upon receiving a letter from Wandelt, signed with Madeleine’s name. She stated this incident encapsulated her anxiety concerning the defendants’ actions. The emotional toll was apparent as Wandelt sobbed in court, questioning why she was being prosecuted.
Impact on the McCann Family
Gerry McCann corroborated his wife’s testimony, detailing the sense of invasion during the encounter. He recalled how unsettling it was for them, even claiming that the continuous phone calls had become a haunting reminder of their unresolved loss.
“I can’t remember the exact words but I said something like, ‘you’re not Madeleine,’” Mr. McCann reported, emphasizing how emotionally damaging such claims can be amidst their ongoing search for their daughter.
Madeleine McCann’s Disappearance
Madeleine was last seen on May 3, 2007, during a family vacation in Portugal’s Algarve, and her case remains one of the most extensively covered missing person cases. Despite ongoing investigations, her disappearance has never been solved.
Wandelt has been accused of trying to manipulate the situation, claiming to be Madeleine while attempting to recruit others to her cause. Mrs. Spragg became an enthusiastic supporter of Wandelt, pushing forward conspiracy theories regarding the McCann family’s involvement in Madeleine’s fate.
Court Proceedings Continue
The trial is ongoing, with both Wandelt and Spragg denying the charges. The outcomes may have implications not only for the defendants but also for the continued quest for truth in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance.
