Accused Harasser Questioned: 'But Imagine I Am Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Karen Spragg - who a court has heard claims she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - contest the allegations

A female charged with stalking Kate McCann allegedly left her a phone message which posed: "suppose I am Madeleine?"

The defendant, twenty-four, who a jury heard has consistently declared she was the vanished Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are on trial charged with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February the current year.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's vanishing has not yet been concluded

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court learned phone records and information recovered from phones documented Ms Wandelt persistently demanding Madeleine's mother for a biological test throughout that period.

Madeleine's case in 2007 - at the age of three during a family holiday in Portugal - is among the most covered investigations and continues to be unsolved.

'I Do Not Need Money'

A separate voicemail, presented in court, documented Ms Wandelt saying: "I know I'm overweight and not pretty like Madeleine was, but I believe what I feel."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's one-way conversations with Mrs McCann's voicemail stated: "What if there is a slight possibility that I am Madeleine? What happens next? Wouldn't that be important for you?"

"I don't want money, I possess a life here in Poland, I only wish to know," the message continued.

The tribunal was informed that through emails, text messages and calls, Ms Wandelt demanded a genetic test, sent early photographs to her phone in a attempt to demonstrate a similarity to Mrs McCann's missing daughter, and claimed to have "memories" from a childhood with the McCanns.

Robert Jones, a data specialist with Leicestershire Police who gathered the evidence, advised the court there "didn't appear to be any responses" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt also communicated with family friends of the McCanns, based on the call data.

On 9 October 2024, the father picked up a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "a wrong number."

That day Ms Wandelt recorded a message on Mrs McCann's recording stating "I won't give up and I intend to demonstrate my claim."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann gave evidence to the court from behind a protective barrier on Wednesday

The court heard the co-defendant struck up a association via internet with Ms Wandelt before accompanying her on a trip to the McCanns' residence in Leicestershire in December 2024.

Communication data showed Mrs Spragg had reached out using messaging service to Mrs McCann to say the press had portrayed Ms Wandelt as "emotionally disturbed" but that she should be considered genuine in the period leading up to the trip to the village, Leicestershire, in December 2024.

The court was told communications between the two accused, in November 2024, considering endeavoring to acquire Mrs McCann's genetic material from her garbage or from utensils at a restaurant.

"We must make a stand," Mrs Spragg informed Ms Wandelt.

On the night of the appearance to their home, Mrs Spragg dispatched a communication which stated: "We find ourselves sitting near the McCanns' house with our lights out similar to detectives. I had hoped to accomplish this with another person I never thought I would be doing that with the McCanns."

The case continues.

William Leon
William Leon

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