The trial of two women who were acquitted of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann provided a poignant glimpse into the ongoing distress experienced by Madeleine’s parents over the past 18 years since her disappearance. Julia Wandelt, 24, stood trial with co-defendant Karen Spragg at Leicester Crown Court on charges of causing serious alarm or distress to the McCanns between June 2022 and February of this year.
In the recent verdict, both women were cleared of stalking, although Wandelt was sentenced to six months in jail for harassment. Additionally, Wandelt was issued a restraining order against the McCanns due to the perceived risk of future harassment towards them. Despite being of Polish origin, Wandelt has repeatedly asserted her false identity as missing British child Madeleine McCann, who vanished in Portugal in 2007.
Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Wandelt claimed to have a DNA connection of nearly 70% with Madeleine. However, forensic evidence presented in court disproved this assertion, confirming that Wandelt’s DNA did not match samples from Madeleine’s belongings. The court heard that Wandelt’s DNA was gathered from a mouth swab during her arrest, and the results definitively ruled out any biological connection to Madeleine.
Prosecutors disclosed that Wandelt had bombarded Kate McCann with over 60 calls and messages in a single day, recounting alleged memories of Madeleine’s abduction. Despite Wandelt’s persistent claims, including sending emotional messages to Kate asserting her identity as Madeleine, forensic evidence and investigations by Operation Grange dismissed these assertions.
Moreover, Kate McCann testified that Wandelt’s continuous pursuit and false claims had left her feeling apprehensive and fearful, particularly when Wandelt and Karen Spragg approached her outside her home. Wandelt’s persistent pleas to Kate to acknowledge her as Madeleine, exemplified by voicemails and messages, were emotionally distressing for Kate and her family.
Gerry McCann expressed the emotional strain of the prolonged search for Madeleine during the trial, emphasizing the impact of individuals falsely claiming to be their missing daughter. He highlighted the detrimental effects of such claims on the search efforts and the toll it takes on the family’s hope and emotions.
The trial shed light on the distressing ordeal faced by the McCann family and the manipulative actions of individuals like Wandelt, who exploit their tragedy for personal gain. The verdict served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and emotional turmoil endured by the McCanns amidst the enduring mystery of Madeleine’s disappearance.
