The trial involving two women accused of harassing Madeleine McCann’s family has resumed, focusing on the collection of DNA samples in the search for the missing three-year-old. Leicester Crown Court has heard testimonies from Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, as well as her younger siblings, friends, the local vicar, and detectives leading the missing person investigation. The court is learning about the alleged impact of Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg’s actions on the family.
Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old Polish national from Lubin, is accused of reaching out to the McCann family claiming to be Madeleine and, together with Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, showing up at their residence. The court proceedings are ongoing.
Wandelt reportedly contacted the Find Madeleine website via email, asserting her identity as Madeleine. This communication was forwarded to Operation Grange, the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.
Testifying in court, Stacy Gorman, residing in Washington DC, expressed concerns that Wandelt’s claims could deter efforts to find Madeleine, as people might stop searching if they believed Wandelt to be the missing girl. DNA analysis presented in court by forensic scientist Rosalyn Hammond indicates no match between Wandelt’s DNA and Madeleine’s profile.
Gorman, who manages the Find Madeleine website, shared details of Wandelt’s persistent emails and the potential impact on the investigation. The court also heard about Wandelt’s assertions of a DNA match with a sample from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine vanished.
The trial has been adjourned, with ongoing testimonies shedding light on the case. Wandelt’s repeated claims of relation to the McCanns and demands for a DNA test have been scrutinized. Forensic analysis has debunked any genetic link between Wandelt and the McCann family.
Karen Spragg, Wandelt’s co-accused, faces charges of stalking related to the alleged harassment of the McCann family between 2022 and 2025. The court continues to delve into the details of the case, with ongoing revelations expected to clarify the situation further.