Polish Woman Julia Wandelt Stalks Kate McCann Claiming to Be Missing Daughter Madeleine

Two women, 24-year-old Polish national Julia Wandelt and 61-year-old Karen Spragg, are on trial at Leicester Crown Court accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing child Madeleine.

“Kate McCann told a jury that part of her brain was saying "what if" because of Julia Wandelt's "incessant" claims to be her missing daughter Madeleine, a stalking trial heard”

The Mirror

The alleged stalking occurred between June 2022 and February 2024.

The Mirror

Both defendants deny charges of stalking causing serious alarm or distress.

The proceedings focus on claims that Wandelt insisted she is Madeleine, who disappeared in Portugal in 2007.

Coverage reports that Kate McCann began giving evidence, describing unwanted contacts and visits.

The court also heard that the defendants appeared at vigils and at the McCanns’ home.

The case is ongoing as the court continues to hear further evidence.

Reports across outlets detail a pattern of alleged harassment involving repeated emails and calls, uninvited visits, a vigil appearance, and distressing letters.

NewsBreak reports a letter addressed "Dear Mom" and signed "Madeleine" delivered after Wandelt and Spragg visited the McCanns’ home.

Wales Online

Daily Mail reports a separate letter telling Kate, "You know who I am, I am your daughter."

Metro.co.uk and LADbible describe a letter left at the home apologizing for the upset but insisting on a felt connection.

LADbible also reports that Wandelt called and messaged Kate "over 60 times in one day" and had contacted the McCanns’ younger daughter Amelie.

Wales Online adds that Wandelt attended a vigil in Madeleine’s home village, which the McCanns did not attend.

Kate found the vigil "difficult but positive."

A key flashpoint occurred on December 7, 2023, when, according to multiple local reports, the women confronted Kate McCann on her driveway.

“An emotional Gerry McCann has told a jury that an “incessant” alleged stalker who claims to be Madeleine McCann has damaged efforts to find his missing daughter”

Knutsford Guardian

The London Evening Standard reports that Wandelt pleaded for a DNA test and called Kate “mum.”

The Denbighshire Free Press says Spragg acted more aggressively as Kate told them to leave.

Metro.co.uk reports that the McCanns refused a DNA test, relying on police investigations that had already confirmed Wandelt’s identity.

LADbible describes a voicemail where Wandelt pleaded for a chance to prove who she was.

The Daily Express adds a more sensational detail—that the pair allegedly tried to obtain DNA by “stealing rubbish bags.”

In court, coverage describes intense emotional impact and dramatic scenes.

The Mirror reports Kate felt conflicted, with part of her mind wondering “what if,” even as she doubted the claim, and that she felt safer after arrests in February.

upday News

Knutsford Guardian reports Wandelt became “hysterical” and was removed from the courtroom after “shouting and crying.”

The same source also quotes Gerry McCann on the deeply damaging effect of false claims and conspiracy theories.

NewsBreak similarly highlights Wandelt’s breakdown—"Why are you doing this to me?"—immediately after Kate’s testimony.

Denbighshire Free Press notes Kate’s anxiety over the protracted harassment eased following Wandelt’s arrest.

Procedurally, outlets agree both women deny the charges and the trial continues.

“ByTOM COTTERILL, SENIOR REPORTERandCLAIRE DUFFIN, SENIOR REPORTER Published:16:33 BST, 8 October 2025|Updated:20:04 BST, 8 October 2025 A Polish woman accused of stalking Kate McCann for years and claiming to be her missing child, Madeleine, wrote to her saying: 'You know who I am, I am your daughter”

Daily Mail

However, they differ on the context surrounding the case.

Daily Mail

upday News reports that Kate did not respond to messages and first learned of Wandelt via the police about three years ago.

Daily Express provides broader context with expert commentary from Jim Gamble, who hopes the McCanns will learn the truth but cautions against focusing solely on one suspect.

Gamble also recognizes the family’s severe secondary victimization.

Wales Online and Knutsford Guardian add details about the lived impact on Kate, who almost wanted a DNA test due to persistence.

Both local outlets report ongoing distress and relief after the arrests.

They situate the legal case within the long-term trauma caused by conspiracy theories and public abuse.