Madeleine McCann’s sibling has disclosed the extreme action her family undertook in response to the purported ‘stalking’ they were subjected to. Amelie, aged 20, testified in the trial of two individuals, Julia Wandelt from Poland, aged 24, and Karen Spragg from Wales, aged 61, who are accused of harassing the family of the missing girl. During the trial, Madeleine’s sister recounted receiving unsettling messages via social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Furthermore, their mother, Kate McCann, testified that she had a direct encounter with the two women at their residence.
Amelie informed the court at Leicester Crown Court that her family implemented a security device at their home following these alleged stalking incidents. She detailed that they installed a panic alarm in the house connected to the local police in Leicestershire. If triggered, the alarm would notify the authorities of their location.
Reflecting on the impact of these events, Amelie expressed to the court that the situation was distressing and intrusive, stating, “That’s not normal. That’s impinging on your life. The thought of her potentially turning up is very scary for me.” She further informed the jury that Wandelt, who is also accused of posing as Madeleine, initiated contact with her on social media in January 2024.
Wandelt’s messages to Amelie included references to supposed childhood memories, to which Amelie found unsettling, considering that the memories were falsely attributed to the McCann family home. When questioned about the possibility of a DNA test for Wandelt, Amelie firmly stated that she had no such intentions, as she was always certain that Wandelt was not Madeleine.
The trial involves Wandelt facing charges of stalking the McCann family for an extended period while falsely claiming to be the missing girl. She is being tried alongside Karen Spragg from Cardiff, who is accused of stalking the family by making calls, sending letters, and visiting their residence, causing alarm and distress. The legal proceedings are ongoing.