Alleged Stalker Claims They Would Have Halted Actions If the McCanns Had Requested
Leicester Crown Court is currently hearing the case of Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old Polish woman, who is alleged to have stalked Kate and Gerry McCann. She claims to be Madeleine McCann, the child who vanished during a family vacation in Portugal in 2007. Wandelt reportedly received approximately £400 from supporters seeking to help her find answers about her identity.
Stalking Allegations Against Julia Wandelt
Julia Wandelt, originally from Lubin in southwestern Poland, is accused of repeatedly contacting the McCanns through emails, phone calls, and personal visits to their home. In court, Wandelt expressed her desire to assist the McCann family, saying she believed law enforcement had not communicated vital information to them. She stated, “I thought they were misled and I just wanted to explain.”
Persistent Communication Attempts
Evidence presented in court revealed that Wandelt made over 60 attempts to contact Ms. McCann in a single day last April. When questioned by her defense attorney Tom Price about her persistence, Wandelt explained that she felt a DNA test was necessary and was confused by Ms. McCann’s silence. She remarked, “There was no engagement from her, nothing, and there was something odd about it.”
Wandelt further claimed that if Ms. McCann had requested her to cease communication, she would have respected that decision. “I think I would respect this,” she stated, highlighting her desire for a conversation and a DNA test as conditions that could have halted her actions.
Financial Considerations and Public Perception
Wandelt revealed her discomfort about receiving financial assistance, which totaled around 2,000 Polish zloty, or £400. While discussing her situation, she expressed feeling “ashamed” as she knew it could appear exploitative. “I should be able to take care of myself,” she said.
She explained that friends encouraged her to seek support, which contributed to her financial disparities, particularly concerning her living situation. Wandelt stated, “I did not want to end up homeless.”
Influence of Social Media and Misguided Guidance
Through her social media account, “I am Madeleine McCann,” Wandelt connected with an American woman named Fia Johansson. Johansson claimed she could help Wandelt and even stated that the McCanns had agreed to a DNA test. “She said she is in touch with Kate and Gerry McCann,” Wandelt recounted, indicating her trust in Johansson.
Despite feeling a sense of danger in Poland, Wandelt traveled to the U.S. after Johansson advised her. “It should be a red flag to me but it wasn’t at the time,” she lamented. Wandelt was also involved in media appearances, including a segment on the Dr. Phil show, although she clarified she did not receive payment for these appearances.
Current Status of the Case
Julia Wandelt, along with co-defendant Karen Spragg, aged 61, faces charges of stalking that allegedly occurred between June 2022 and February 2023. The trial is ongoing, with both defendants maintaining their innocence.
