Alleged Harasser Asked: 'But Suppose I Am Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Karen Spragg - who a court has heard believes she is missing Madeleine McCann - contest the allegations

A female charged with pursuing Kate McCann allegedly deposited her a phone message which posed: "what if I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, 24, who court testimony revealed has repeatedly declared she was the vanished Madeleine McCann, and her co-defendant are on trial indicted with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February this year.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's disappearance has not yet been solved

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court was told communication data and data retrieved from phones recorded Ms Wandelt persistently asking Madeleine's mother for a biological test during 2023 and 2024.

Madeleine's case in 2007 - as a three-year-old during a family holiday in Portugal - is considered the most publicized missing child cases and remains open.

'I Am Not Seeking Money'

Another phone message, played in court, captured Ms Wandelt saying: "I know I'm overweight and not pretty like Madeleine was, but I believe what I believe."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's one-way conversations with Mrs McCann's voicemail said: "Imagine there is a tiny probability that I am she? What happens next? Wouldn't that be important for you?"

"I don't want money, I maintain a life here in Poland, I simply desire to know," she added.

The tribunal was informed that by means of emails, SMS messages and calls, Ms Wandelt requested a DNA test, forwarded childhood photos to her phone in a bid to show a resemblance to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and claimed to have "memories" from a childhood with the McCanns.

The investigator, an investigator with law enforcement who gathered the evidence, told the court there "showed no any responses" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt also reached out to acquaintances of the McCanns, as per the phone records.

On that date, Mr McCann picked up a call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, stating she had "incorrect contact information."

On that occasion Ms Wandelt deposited a voicemail on Mrs McCann's answerphone declaring "I will persist and I will prove my point."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann provided testimony to the court from protected by a protective barrier on Wednesday

The court learned the co-defendant struck up a association through digital means with Ms Wandelt before accompanying her on a appearance to the McCanns' home in that area in December 2024.

Phone records demonstrated Mrs Spragg had contacted using messaging service to Mrs McCann to say the media had characterized Ms Wandelt as "emotionally disturbed" but that she should be treated respectfully in the time leading up to the appearance to the village, the county, in December 2024.

The court learned communications between the two individuals, in November 2024, considering attempting to acquire Mrs McCann's DNA samples from her bins or from silverware at a dining venue.

"We need to take action," Mrs Spragg informed Ms Wandelt.

On the occasion of the appearance to their house, Mrs Spragg sent a communication which stated: "We're currently sat adjacent to the McCanns' residence with our vehicle dark resembling private investigators. I wanted to achieve this with Peter Andrew I didn't imagine I would be engaged in this with the McCanns."

The trial continues.

Kenneth Howard
Kenneth Howard

Tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.