A court has been informed that a Polish woman allegedly wrote a distressing letter to Kate McCann, falsely claiming to be Madeleine and leaving a “cruel signature” on it.
Julia Wandelt, 24, from Lubin in south-west Poland, and Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, have pleaded not guilty to a charge of stalking that caused significant alarm and distress to Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February this year. Leicester Crown Court jurors were informed that scientific evidence unequivocally shows that Wandelt is not related to the McCanns, despite her assertions of having memories related to the girl’s childhood and disappearance.
The court heard that Wandelt sent a letter to the McCanns’ residence, claiming to be Madeleine once more and suggesting that Mrs. McCann “knew in her heart” that she was her daughter. The letter concluded with what the prosecutor described as a “final, cruel signature.”
The letter expressed remorse for causing distress, claimed a close emotional connection, and urged Mrs. McCann to acknowledge the truth. It mentioned memories, evidence, and a desire for a DNA test, implying that Mrs. McCann was hesitant out of fear. The prosecutor emphasized the manipulative nature of the signature.
The court was informed that the letter was sent after Wandelt and Spragg decided to approach the McCanns at their home in December. Spragg reportedly messaged a friend about waiting outside the McCanns’ home, likening their behavior to that of private investigators. The prosecutor stated that both women were aware of the distress their actions would cause.
According to the prosecutor, the incident involved detailed planning and significant financial expenditure. He condemned the women’s unwarranted intrusion and emphasized that such actions were unacceptable.
The prosecutor detailed the events of the evening when the women confronted Kate McCann as she arrived home. Kate felt uncomfortable and asked them to leave, but they persisted. Gerry McCann was also met with demands and aggressive behavior upon his arrival, causing further distress to the couple.
The trial continues, with the prosecution highlighting Wandelt’s persistent claims of being Madeleine and the distress caused to the McCann family by the defendants’ actions.