Kate McCann testifies in stalking trial linked to Madeleine McCann case
In a high-profile stalking trial tied to the Madeleine McCann disappearance, Kate McCann has begun answering questions from prosecutor Michael Duck KC. The testimony centers on her interactions with Julia Wandelt, who has claimed to be Madeleine and has asserted a DNA test to prove it. The proceedings provide another chapter in a case that has drawn global attention to the long-unsolved events of 2007.
Key moments of the trial so far
The court has heard that Mrs McCann confirmed her phone number has not changed since Madeleine disappeared in 2007, a detail prosecutors say is relevant to the defendants’ ability to contact the family. The prosecutor then shifted focus to Julia Wandelt, noting that Mrs McCann was first contacted by the defendant “about three years ago.”
There was also mention of a phone call during which Wandelt allegedly tried to reach her husband, Gerry McCann, by calling Glenfield Hospital. Earlier testimony indicated that Wandelt had called the hospital switchboard to locate Mr McCann, illustrating the lengths to which the defendants’ alleged scheme extended.
What has been alleged against the defendants?
The trial has already heard detailed allegations that Wandelt has repeatedly claimed to be Madeleine, prompting intense scrutiny from the McCanns and their supporters. The prosecution described Wandelt and others as acting “as a team,” with the net widening to involve additional individuals such as Karen Spragg—presented in court as a forthright supporter of the conspiracy theory who helped to promote Wandelt’s narrative.
According to prosecutors, the group expanded its activity to contact David Payne and his wife, who had previously spent time with the McCanns on the night Madeleine vanished. The court has viewed messages exchanged among the defendants in which they discussed going through the McCanns’ bins, a detail that underscores the investigators’ concern about the severity and intrusion of the alleged stalking and conspiracy.
Arrests and court dynamics
As the case has unfolded, Wandelt was arrested at Bristol Airport on 19 February this year upon arrival from a flight, with Spragg later taken into custody as the investigation progressed. The court has heard that the defendants described their actions as part of a broader, coordinated effort to push their narrative, which prosecutors say amounted to harassment and intimidation of the McCanns and their extended circle.
The proceedings have focused on how misinformation, privacy invasion, and persistent contact may amount to criminal activity in a stalking context, particularly when the targets are public figures associated with a globally scrutinized case. Mrs McCann’s testimony is seen as a crucial element in establishing the timeline and intent behind the alleged wrongdoing.
Implications for the case and public interest
With both sides presenting extensive evidence of communications, phone records, and social media exchanges, the trial seeks to clarify the boundaries between belief, free speech, and criminal harassment. The McCanns have repeatedly emphasized their wish for privacy and safety amid ongoing speculation about Madeleine’s fate. This trial, while focused on alleged stalking, also touches a broader debate about the consequences of relentless online campaigns and the impact on families touched by unresolved disappearances.
Looking ahead
As the prosecution continues to question Kate McCann and other witnesses, the court will further illuminate the roles of Wandelt, Spragg, and the other individuals implicated in the case. The aim is to determine whether the defendants’ actions crossed legal lines into stalking or other criminal conduct, and how much the McCanns’ privacy was violated in the pursuit of an unverified narrative.
Conclusion
The trial remains closely watched around the world, not only for its legal implications but also for what it reveals about the intense public fascination with the Madeleine McCann case. The testimony of Kate McCann, a central figure in the original disappearance drama, adds a critical layer to the courtroom narrative as investigators seek to hold those involved accountable for their actions.
