Alleged Harasser Questioned: 'Yet Imagine I Might Be Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Julia Wandelt - according to court testimony claims she is missing Madeleine McCann - deny the charges

A woman charged with stalking Kate McCann apparently recorded her a recorded message which asked: "imagine I am Madeleine?"

The defendant, 24, who a jury heard has repeatedly asserted she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are facing charges charged with pursuing Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February 2025.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's case has never been resolved

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court learned call records and evidence recovered from phones documented Ms Wandelt repeatedly asking Madeleine's mother for a DNA test throughout the past two years.

Madeleine's case in 2007 - when she was three years old during a family holiday in Portugal - is among the most publicized child disappearance cases and is still unresolved.

'I Do Not Need Money'

Another recorded message, presented in court, captured Ms Wandelt saying: "I understand I'm overweight and plain like Madeleine used to be, but I believe what I believe."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's one-way conversations with Mrs McCann's answerphone expressed: "Suppose there is a small chance that I am Madeleine? What then? Wouldn't that be crucial for you?"

"I do not need money, I maintain a life here in Poland, I only wish to discover," the recording stated.

The panel was informed that through electronic messages, SMS messages and communications, Ms Wandelt demanded a biological test, sent childhood photos to her phone in a bid to show a resemblance to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and claimed to have "flashbacks" from a youth with the McCanns.

An intelligence analyst, a data specialist with Leicestershire Police who compiled the information, informed the court there "didn't appear to be any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt furthermore communicated with acquaintances of the McCanns, as per the call data.

On 9 October 2024, Gerry McCann responded to a call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, saying she had "a wrong number."

On that occasion Ms Wandelt deposited a message on Mrs McCann's voicemail stating "I won't give up and I plan to establish my position."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann testified to the court from using a protective barrier on Wednesday

The court learned Mrs Spragg developed a connection online with Ms Wandelt before accompanying her on a visit to the McCanns' property in that area in last December.

Communication data demonstrated Mrs Spragg had contacted using messaging service to Mrs McCann to say the news outlets had depicted Ms Wandelt as "emotionally disturbed" but that she should be treated respectfully in the time preceding the appearance to Rothley, the county, in December 2024.

The court heard correspondence between the two defendants, in that autumn, planning trying to acquire Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her trash or from cutlery at a dining venue.

"We need to make a stand," the co-defendant informed Ms Wandelt.

On the night of the trip to their house, Mrs Spragg transmitted a text which stated: "We're currently sitting outside the McCanns' house with our lights out like private investigators. I desired to accomplish this with Peter Andrew I hadn't anticipated I would be involved in this with the McCanns."

The proceedings proceeds.

Cynthia Robinson
Cynthia Robinson

A seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets and statistical modeling.