Summary of the case
A jury in a Leicestershire Crown Court is hearing the case of Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old woman who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann. Prosecutors say Wandelt is an emotional manipulator who launched a sustained campaign of harassment against Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of Madeleine, who disappeared in 2007 in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Wandelt, who is from Poland, denies the charges of stalking and says she truly believes she is Madeleine.
The allegations and timeline
According to the Crown, Wandelt engaged in what authorities describe as a three-year campaign of contact and intrusion. The jury was told she made calls, sent messages, and even turned up at the McCanns’ home in Leicestershire between June 2022 and February 2023. The sheer persistence of the contact, prosecutors argue, amounted to stalking that caused distress to the couple. Wandelt’s co-defendant, Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, is accused of joining Wandelt in this alleged harassment. Both defendants deny the charges.
What Wandelt claimed and the prosecution’s stance
At the opening of the trial, prosecutor Michael Duck KC described Wandelt as someone who might appear to have a level of credibility, but stressed that the court should not believe she is Madeleine. The prosecution asserts there is no familial link between Wandelt and the McCanns. They expect to present detailed scientific evidence supporting the claim that Wandelt is not the missing child, noting that Madeleine would be younger than Wandelt by almost two years.
Evidence presented to date
Jurors were shown messages and recordings detailing the alleged harassment. Wandelt is accused of contacting Kate McCann’s number on around 60 occasions, leaving voicemails that the court heard. In one such message, Wandelt said: “If I’m her then everything will be OK, and if I’m not, as you probably think, then I will leave you alone.” She also made comments about her appearance, saying she knew how she looked and what she remembered.
Further, the prosecution described Wandelt as having previously pretended to be other missing children — Inga Gehricke from Germany and Acacia Bishop from the United States — a pattern underscoring what they say is her “emotional manipulation.” The court heard that she used ChatGPT to generate fake photographs and sent them to Madeleine’s sister, who is now an adult, implying a shared history that did not exist.
Personal impact and defense arguments
Wandelt reportedly spoke about having undergone hypnosis and experiencing vivid “flashbacks” about being Madeleine. Prosecutors say these claims are part of a broader attempt to gain attention and sympathy, while the defense has yet to present its full case. Wandelt broke down in the dock when the judge summarized the prosecution’s position, an emotional moment that was quickly responded to by her co-defendant. The defendant and Spragg deny all charges and have indicated they will contest the allegations in court.
What happens next
The trial continues as jurors weigh the evidence presented. The case hinges on a mix of testimonies, digital evidence, and expert scientific analysis designed to establish or refute a direct link to Madeleine McCann. The McCanns have faced years of public scrutiny, and this trial adds another deeply personal chapter to a story that remains unresolved for many people around the world.
Context and significance
Cases involving individuals who claim to be missing children often prompt intense public interest. This trial focuses on whether Wandelt’s behavior constitutes criminal stalking and harassment under UK law, and whether any link to Madeleine McCann can be established beyond reasonable doubt. The outcome could influence how similar claims are treated and how families affected by high-profile disappearances cope with ongoing distress and misinformation.
