Accused Stalker Asked: 'However Imagine I Am Madeleine?'
A female indicted with stalking Kate McCann apparently recorded her a phone message which asked: "what if I am Madeleine?"
Julia Wandelt, 24, who a jury heard has consistently claimed she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and her co-defendant are on trial charged with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann from June 2022 and February this year.
On Monday, Leicester Crown Court heard communication data and data obtained from phones documented Ms Wandelt consistently asking Madeleine's mother for a genetic test throughout the past two years.
Madeleine's case in 2007 - as a three-year-old during a vacation in Portugal - is among the most publicized child disappearance cases and remains unsolved.
'I Do Not Need Money'
Another phone message, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt saying: "I know I'm overweight and not pretty like Madeleine used to be, but I feel what I know."
While another instance of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's answerphone said: "Imagine there is a slight possibility that I am she? Then what? Wouldn't that be crucial for you?"
"I do not need money, I have a existence here in Poland, I simply desire to know," the recording stated.
The panel was told that through emails, text messages and calls, Ms Wandelt demanded a biological test, transmitted early photographs to her phone in a effort to display a likeness to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and stated to have "recollections" from a youth with the McCanns.
Robert Jones, a data specialist with the police force who collated the evidence, told the court there "seemed to lack any answers" from Mrs McCann.
Ms Wandelt furthermore contacted family friends of the McCanns, according to the call data.
On 9 October 2024, Gerry McCann answered a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, saying she had "incorrect contact information."
During that incident Ms Wandelt recorded a recording on Mrs McCann's answerphone saying "I will persist and I intend to demonstrate my position."
The court learned Mrs Spragg developed a connection through digital means with Ms Wandelt before assisting her on a visit to the McCanns' property in Leicestershire in that winter.
Phone records demonstrated Mrs Spragg had communicated through messaging service to Mrs McCann to state the press had characterized Ms Wandelt as "mentally unstable" but that she deserved to be treated respectfully in the months preceding the appearance to Rothley, Leicestershire, in last December.
The court learned message exchanges between the two individuals, in that autumn, considering trying to acquire Mrs McCann's genetic material from her garbage or from utensils at a eating establishment.
"We have to make a stand," Mrs Spragg informed Ms Wandelt.
On the night of the visit to their home, Mrs Spragg sent a text which expressed: "We're currently sitting near the McCanns' house with our vehicle dark similar to detectives. I wanted to accomplish this with someone else I didn't imagine I would be involved in this with the McCanns."
The proceedings ongoing.
