A Cardiff woman is on trial, facing serious allegations of stalking Madeleine McCann’s parents. Karen Spragg stands accused at Leicester Crown Court alongside Julia Wandelt, who has falsely claimed to actually be Madeleine. This trial brings to light a series of disturbing actions said to have “tormented” and caused “significant distress” to Kate and Gerry McCann.
Julia Wandelt, caught up in creating a false narrative of being the missing girl, teamed up with Spragg in a campaign of harassment that allegedly included sending unwanted emails and voicemails, and even visiting the McCann family home between June 2022 and February this year. Crown Prosecutor Michael Duck KC described their actions as “cruel” and accused the duo of imposing their will on the grief-stricken family.
During the trial, the prosecution painted Wandelt as manipulative, with actions aimed at tormenting the McCanns, claiming that Spragg actively encouraged these distressing acts. A letter penned by Wandelt and Spragg apologising for their actions reveals a troubling intent to continue their attempts, according to the prosecutor.
Despite Wandelt’s emotional response in court and her claims of innocence, the jury has been urged to focus on the evidence. Both defendants deny charges of stalking, and the trial continues as more details are revealed about this unsettling case. Keep an eye on this story as it unfolds.