During a court hearing, Amelie McCann, the sister of Madeleine McCann, disclosed the unsettling promise that an alleged stalker had made to her through a series of messages.
At the trial of Julia Wandelt, 24, and Karen Spragg, 61, who are facing charges of stalking the McCann family, Leicester Crown Court was informed that Amelie had been contacted by Wandelt on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Describing Wandelt’s messages as “frightening,” Amelie expressed feeling uneasy after receiving them.
Amelie testified that Wandelt had declared, “I will do whatever it takes” to establish her claimed identity, with previous court statements indicating that Wandelt, a 24-year-old from Poland, asserts to be Madeleine, who vanished at the age of three while on a vacation in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007.
Reflecting on her reaction to the message, Amelie remarked, “It demonstrates the extent she would go to in order to be heard. It was unsettling as her next actions were unpredictable.”
Describing Wandelt’s conviction, Amelie stated, “It is evident that she believes she is Madeleine. She cannot comprehend why no one is assisting her in obtaining proof.”
Amelie McCann informed the court that she opposed the idea of conducting a DNA test on the Polish woman because she had always been certain that the woman was not Madeleine. When asked about her reluctance for the test, Amelie explained, “I never doubted her identity, and those around me also deemed it unnecessary for her to undergo a DNA test.”
Kate and Gerry McCann, Madeleine’s parents, provided testimony in court while shielded from the defendants by a curtain.
Kate supported her daughter’s stance to the jurors, affirming that she too believed Wandelt was not her daughter. Kate expressed that upon seeing a photo of Wandelt, she instantly recognized that the woman was not Madeleine.
When questioned about the DNA test request from Wandelt, Kate responded, “Honestly, with Julia’s persistent behavior, it started affecting me. At times, I considered taking the test just to resolve it, despite being certain from the photo that it wasn’t her.” Wandelt became emotional upon hearing this.
Julia Wandelt, a Polish national, is standing trial for allegedly stalking the McCann family for more than two and a half years, claiming to be the missing girl.
Karen Spragg from Cardiff, who is also on trial, faces accusations of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, as she purportedly made calls, sent letters, and visited the McCann residence. The trial is ongoing.