Overview of the Witness Testimony
In a continuing high-profile trial, Madeleine McCann’s brother and sister described how an alleged stalker, Julia Wandelt, 24, repeatedly contacted them and claimed to be their missing sister. The testimony forms a central part of a two-and-a-half-year harassment case brought against Wandelt, who denies the stalking allegations alongside co-defendant Karen Spragg. The hearing is taking place via video link, with the McCanns providing evidence about the distress caused by Wandelt’s messages and social media activity.
Amelie McCann on the “Creepy” Communications
Amelie McCann, speaking from the perspective of her twin brother Sean, recalled the persistent attempts by Wandelt to reach her on multiple social media platforms and through letters addressed to the family home. She described the messages as “quite scary” because they left her unsure of Wandelt’s next move. The court heard that Wandelt claimed memories of being Madeleine, asserting these memories were recovered under hypnosis, a claim that Amelie found unsettling and troubling.
“It’s quite disturbing that she’s coming up with these supposed memories, even though she’s not Madeleine,” Amelie told the court. She acknowledged a sense that Wandelt might exploit emotions or memories, but she said she remained unconvinced by the sensational assertions. The “sound of desperation” in Wandelt’s communications contributed to the stress Amelie felt, and she described feeling guilty for perceiving the stalker’s desperate attempts yet recognizing they were not genuine representations of her sister.
The Impact on Family and Personal Wellbeing
Amelie disclosed that the tone and content of Wandelt’s messages had a broader emotional effect on the family, particularly their mother, Kate. The court heard that Kate was confronted at home by Wandelt and Spragg. Amelie stated that her mother endured elevated stress and a fragile sense of wellbeing as a result of the harassment, a consequence she described as “very stressful and on edge.” The family’s experience underscores how stalking that targets loved ones can extend beyond the initial target to affect parents and siblings.
Sean McCann’s Perspective and the Court’s Focus
Sean McCann, in a witness statement read to the court, said he was not personally affected to the same degree as his sister but was distressed by the online attention the case drew toward his parents. He emphasized that if Wandelt was aware she was not Madeleine yet persisted in presenting herself as such, it would be deeply upsetting. The stress of the situation, coupled with accusations against his family, has been a recurring theme in the evidence presented to date.
Evidence of Manipulation and Altered Imagery
The prosecution highlighted disturbing elements of the alleged stalking, including Wandelt’s creation of pictures showing herself and Amelie together as children. Some images were reportedly generated using artificial intelligence tools and circulated via social media or included in handwritten letters to the McCanns. Amelie testified that the manipulated pictures felt “very uncomfortable” and clearly did not reflect her appearance or reality, noting that the altered images were intended to evoke recognition or belief in Wandelt’s claimed connection.
The Case to Date and Next Steps
Wandelt and Spragg deny the stalking allegations, and the trial continues with further evidence and cross-examination expected. The proceedings have kept international attention on the McCann family as they navigate the private pain of an unresolved tragedy alongside the public scrutiny of a criminal case about harassment and deception.
As the court weighs the evidence, the siblings’ testimony serves to illustrate the human impact of online harassment and the emotional toll of being drawn into a case that remains emotionally charged for the family involved.
