Overview
A stalking trial at Leicester Crown Court has heard that a DNA test taken from a Poland-based woman who believes she is Madeleine McCann has been described as conclusively proving she is not Madeleine. The defendants, Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg, are accused of stalking Madeleine McCann’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, amid ongoing speculation surrounding the well-known missing child case.
What was Claimed About the DNA Test?
According to the court proceedings, DNA samples from Ms Wandelt were collected when she was arrested in December 2024. The result, communicated to her in Peterborough Prison in April, was reportedly disputed by Ms Wandelt. Det Insp Mark Cramwell, who authorised the DNA testing as part of Operation Grange, stated that the test “conclusively proved” that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann. The expression of certainty, however, has been part of a wider discussion about the case as it unfolded in public and within police operations.
Background to the Case
Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007, one of the most scrutinized missing-child stories in modern history. Since 2022, Julia Wandelt has asserted that she is Madeleine, and she and Mrs Spragg are charged with stalking the McCanns, causing serious alarm and distress. The court heard that Wandelt and Spragg allegedly pursued the family with messages, calls, and visits, including an incident in which Wandelt appeared at the McCanns’ home demanding a DNA test.
Police Involvement and Reactions
Det Ch Insp Cramwell described the decision to test Wandelt’s DNA as a measure to curb what investigators described as persistent, distressing behaviour towards the McCanns. He suggested the step was taken in the hope it would prompt an end to the conduct. The trial has examined the sequence of events from the initial contact between Wandelt and police, through subsequent media coverage, to the McCanns’ responses through their family liaison officers.
Media Coverage and Family Response
After the case drew wider attention, a photograph of Wandelt was forwarded to the McCanns. Their team indicated they were confident the image did not depict their missing daughter. The court was told that there were additional communications, including a crucial police recording Wandelt had used on other media platforms, which influenced the McCanns’ decision-making processes about potential actions.
The Trial’s Current Status
As of the latest court proceedings, Wandelt, aged 24, of Lubin, Poland, and Mrs Spragg, aged 61, of Cardiff, deny the stalking charges. The case remains one of the most high-profile ongoing legal matters connected to the Madeleine McCann disappearance. Jurors are hearing evidence about the DNA testing, the police decision-making process, and the extent of Wandelt and Spragg’s alleged conduct.
What Comes Next
The trial continues, with further examination of testimonies and forensic details expected. The case highlights tensions between public interest in Madeleine McCann’s fate and the rights and well-being of the family involved, as well as the complexity of using forensic evidence in ongoing, high-profile investigations.
