Polish Woman Admits Stalking McCann Family While Claiming Sympathy and Police Deception

A 24-year-old Polish woman, Julia Wandelt, is on trial at Leicester Crown Court accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann while simultaneously claiming she sympathizes with the family and alleging police deception.

“Prosecutors allege Julia Wandelt, 24, claimed to be Madeleine McCann while stalking the girl’s parents Kate and Gerry”

Express & Star

Express & Star reports she is accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann by falsely claiming to be their missing daughter and that in court she expressed sympathy for the McCann family and alleged police had misled them.

Express & Star

The Telegraph similarly notes she has been detained since February for allegedly stalking the McCann family and that she maintains she does not dislike Kate and Gerry McCann and even sympathizes with them.

London Evening Standard also reports she expressed sympathy for the McCann family at Leicester Crown Court.

LBC states she is on trial for allegedly stalking Madeleine McCann’s family and is still questioning her identity after claiming to be the missing girl.

Multiple outlets report that Wandelt frames her conduct within long-standing identity confusion and trauma.

The London Evening Standard details that she described abuse by her step-grandfather and limited childhood memories, which contributed to her belief she might be Madeleine, and that she still questions her identity.

Irish Mirror

LBC likewise reports she has limited childhood memories and mostly recalls abuse by her step-grandfather, adding that a psychologist’s questioning led her to recognize her memories are dominated by abuse.

The Mirror adds a different trigger point for her belief, reporting she developed a strong belief that she might be Madeleine McCann after noticing a similar birthmark and questioning her parents.

It also notes she contacted Operation Grange, Scotland Yard, Interpol, and a Polish team.

The Telegraph underscores her confusion about identity and says she drew parallels between searching for her parents and the McCanns’ search for Madeleine.

On policing, sources report that Wandelt accuses authorities of mishandling the case and ignoring leads.

“A woman who allegedly stalked the family of Madeleine McCann still questions her identity after claiming to be the missing Brit, a court heard”

The Mirror

Mainstream coverage also records a definitive DNA outcome excluding her as Madeleine.

The Telegraph reports she criticized the Metropolitan Police and Operation Grange for refusing a DNA test when she first contacted them in June 2022.

It adds that police later confirmed through DNA testing that she is not Madeleine, noting she said she would have accepted this earlier if tested initially.

The London Evening Standard echoes that she claimed the police misled the family and are not genuinely interested in finding Madeleine, alleging misconduct in such cases.

Express & Star likewise reports she alleged police had misled the McCanns and mishandled the case.

Collectively, this shows a contrast between her accusations and the later forensic conclusion.

Prosecutors, according to LBC, accuse Wandelt of perpetuating the falsehood that she is Madeleine while stalking the family via emails, calls, and visits.

These methods are also described by Express & Star.

The Telegraph

London Evening Standard reports she denied seeking attention or money, said she contacted authorities and missing persons groups before the McCanns, and maintained she never intended harm and even defended the family.

The Mirror uniquely adds that both Wandelt and a figure named Spragg deny stalking charges tied to actions between June 2022 and February 2025.

The trial is ongoing.

Across coverage, there is agreement that Wandelt shows sympathy for the McCanns and acknowledges ongoing uncertainty about identity.

“She said she was in hospital in the summer of 2022 when she spoke to her father, who told her the man who abused her had “been involved in kidnapping” By Rebecca Henrys The alleged stalker of Madeleine McCann’s family has told her trial that she is still questioning her identity after claiming to be the missing girl”

lbc.co.uk

However, sources differ in their focus: mainstream outlets emphasize procedure and evidence, tabloids highlight alleged behavior and notable details, and local reports emphasize trauma and intent.

lbc.co.uk

The Telegraph notes her sympathy and reports the later DNA confirmation that she is not Madeleine, along with her claim that she would have accepted this earlier with timely testing.

Express & Star and London Evening Standard report that she alleged police misled the family and mishandled or showed little interest in the case.

LBC highlights prosecutors’ account of stalking, her limited memories, and history of abuse.

The Mirror focuses on her belief triggered by a birthmark, her broad outreach to authorities, details about the co-defendant and timeline, while also noting the trial is ongoing.