Alleged Harasser Questioned: 'But What If I Might Be Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Julia Wandelt - who a court has heard claims she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - dispute the allegations

A female indicted with stalking Kate McCann allegedly recorded her a phone message which posed: "what if I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, 24, who court testimony revealed has repeatedly asserted she was the disappeared Madeleine McCann, and her co-defendant are standing trial charged with harassing Kate and Gerry McCann from June 2022 and February the current year.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's vanishing has not yet been resolved

On Monday, the tribunal heard phone records and information recovered from phones logged Ms Wandelt persistently asking Madeleine's mother for a biological test throughout that period.

Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - at the age of three during a vacation in Portugal - is considered the most publicized missing child cases and is still open.

'I Am Not Seeking Money'

One recorded message, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt declaring: "I understand I'm overweight and unattractive like Madeleine used to be, but I feel what I feel."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's answerphone stated: "Suppose there is a slight possibility that I'm her? What then? Isn't that crucial for you?"

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

The jury was told that via emails, SMS messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt requested a DNA test, sent early photographs to her phone in a bid to show a resemblance to Mrs McCann's missing daughter, and asserted to have "recollections" from a childhood with the McCanns.

An intelligence analyst, an investigator with the police force who collated the data, told the court there "didn't appear to be any responses" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt additionally contacted acquaintances of the McCanns, based on the communication logs.

On October 9th, 2024, Mr McCann responded to a communication from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "incorrect contact information."

During that incident Ms Wandelt left a voicemail on Mrs McCann's answerphone saying "I will continue and I plan to establish my point."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann provided testimony to the court from using a privacy screen on Wednesday

The court heard the co-defendant struck up a connection through digital means with Ms Wandelt before joining her on a visit to the McCanns' residence in the county in December 2024.

Communication data demonstrated Mrs Spragg had reached out via communication app to Mrs McCann to say the media had portrayed Ms Wandelt as "emotionally disturbed" but that she deserved to be considered genuine in the period leading up to the visit to Rothley, that area, in December 2024.

The court was told message exchanges between the two individuals, in that autumn, planning attempting to acquire Mrs McCann's genetic material from her bins or from silverware at a eating establishment.

"We have to make a stand," the co-defendant told Ms Wandelt.

On the occasion of the trip to their home, Mrs Spragg dispatched a message which stated: "We're currently sitting near the McCanns' home with our headlights off resembling detectives. I had hoped to achieve this with someone else I never thought I would be doing that with the McCanns."

The proceedings proceeds.

Darlene Golden
Darlene Golden

Seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in UK betting markets and responsible gaming advocacy.