Madeleine McCann’s family testifies against woman who claimed to have lost girl – National

family Madeleine McCanna British girl who disappeared in 2007 while on a family vacation in Portugal, testified against a Polish woman who claims to be her missing daughter and is accused of stalking her family.

Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandlet, first claimed to be McCann in 2023 when she posted several “evidence” on social media, most of which were side-by-side comparisons of similar physical characteristics between herself and McCann.

In February Wandl He was arrested and charged with stalking The McCanns were constantly calling them and showing up at their home in the UK Charged with stalking Four members of the McCann family – parents Gerry and Kate, and twin siblings Sean and Amelie – throughout 2024 and into 2025. She was also alleged to have made unwanted and unwanted visits to their home on two occasions, in May and December last year.

In January 2024, Wandell sent a message to McCann’s younger sister, Amelie McCann, on social media. Amelie testified in court Thursday that she felt responding to Wandell was her only option at the time.

“I didn’t think it was a criminal offense or know it would be considered stalking. I just thought I could deal with it myself and ignore it,” Amelie said in court. According to the BBC. “I didn’t want to add any extra pressure to my parents or my family, so I left it to myself.”

Wandell allegedly tried to convince Amelie, who was in the room with McCann on the night of her disappearance in 2007, that she was her sister. Wandell also attempted to recount alleged memories she had of the time she claimed to have spent with Amelie before her disappearance.

“It’s annoying to bring up these supposed memories when it’s not Madeleine,” Amelie said in her video appearance.

She also said that their mother was most affected by Wandell’s actions and claimed that it “adversely affected her health.”

McCann’s brother Sean chose to read a statement in court on his behalf rather than appear via video feed. Shawn said he did not interact with Wandel and blocked her on social media after she first reached out to him.

In his statement, Shawn spoke about the efforts Wandell made with his mother and twin sister, Amelie, and said she “texted them a lot.”

He said the contact he had with Wandel “made him think about changing his online presence” and added that he removed his last name from his social media profiles to avoid Wandel “and her supporters.”

Shawn said Wandell’s claims that she was his sister were “disturbing and disrespectful.”

He added: “If she is fully aware that she is not Madeleine, then this is very disturbing to me.”

Sean said he did not believe Wandell was his missing sister, and added that he “didn’t want anything to do with her.”

McCann’s mother, Kate, took the stand on Wednesday but it was covered by a curtain so she wouldn’t have to see Wandell. BBC reports.

Kate said Wandell first contacted her three years ago and left voice messages claiming to be Madeleine. She also claimed that Wandel would call more than 50 times on some days.

McCann’s mother also said that after Wandel’s repeated requests for DNA, she “almost put him to bed” to stop Wandel’s “persistence.”

When asked when she learned of Wandell’s contact with Amelie, Kate said she found out in September 2024 that Wandell had been in contact with her since January of the same year.

She added: “It was the last straw for me. I discussed the matter with the police.”

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Wandell flew from Poland to England and went to the McCanns’ home, where she asked them to undergo a DNA test in December 2024.

The woman approached Kate in her driveway as she was getting out of her car. When asked what Wandell told her, Kate said: “It was the usual stuff, ‘I’m your daughter, you should call me mum.’ (She was) asking for a DNA test, begging me.”

Kate said she felt “invaded in her home” and “sad” after Wandle’s first visit.

Wandell left a letter on the front door of the McCanns’ home after meeting face-to-face in December 2024. The letter was read in court, and read in part: “I am very sorry that I have caused you so much distress, but when I saw you yesterday, my feelings were very strong.

“I think you’re afraid, but whatever makes you afraid, just remember that you’re stronger than that. Yesterday, I heard so much care and love in your voice. I hope you find a way to contact me.”

The letter was signed “Madeleine X.”

Wandel and Karen Spragg, a 61-year-old Welsh woman who became a supporter of Wandel after hearing her story, are charged with one count of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann causing serious alarm or distress, which they both deny.

Polish police cast doubt on Wandel’s claims that she was McCann after she reached viral fame and Wandel’s parents spoke out about her campaign, saying they were “devastated” by her claims and the global media attention she received.

Madeleine McCann, a then three-year-old British girl, disappeared from her bed while on holiday with her family in the southern Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. She has not been seen since.

In May, McCann’s parents marked the 18th anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance, saying their “determination not to leave any stone unturned is unwavering.”

“We will do our best to achieve this.”

in the united kingdom, Maximum penalty Because stalking depends on how serious it is, with a maximum of 10 years in prison in the case of crimes that cause fear of violence, serious alarm or distress.

— With files from international news