Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old Polish woman, has broken down in tears at Leicester Crown Court during her trial, where she stands accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing child Madeleine McCann. The dramatic scene unfolded as prosecutor Michael Duck KC informed the jury that there was "unequivocal scientific evidence" proving Wandelt is not Madeleine. Wandelt, who had persistently claimed to be the missing girl, shouted "no" in Polish before retreating to the back of the dock, where she was comforted by co-accused Karen Spragg.

Madeleine McCann's disappearance during a family holiday in Portugal's Algarve at the age of three in 2007 remains one of the most widely reported and unsolved missing child cases in history. Since June 2022, Wandelt embarked on a relentless three-year campaign, attempting to convince anyone who would listen that she was Madeleine, allegedly having been abducted and taken to Poland. Her efforts included extensive electronic communication, direct telephone calls, and even visits to the McCanns' village and their home in Rothley, Leicestershire.

The court heard detailed accounts of Wandelt's persistent contact, including an instance where she called Kate McCann 60 times in a single day, addressing her as "mommy" and asserting false memories of the night of Madeleine's abduction. She also sent messages and manipulated images of herself to Amelie McCann, one of Madeleine's younger siblings, desperately pleading for a DNA test. Prosecutor Duck highlighted that Wandelt's purported memories, which included growing up in the McCann household and participating in family events with Sean and Amelie, "simply can’t have existed."

Mr. Duck explicitly stated to the jury, "Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann," emphasizing that scientific evidence would confirm she has "no familial line" to Kate and Gerry McCann. He detailed how Wandelt used AI tool ChatGPT to try and substantiate her claims, and when confronted with contradictory evidence, she would "move the goalposts," even suggesting that birth certificates could be easily faked. Despite being informed of the definitive scientific proof, Wandelt remained undeterred, adjusting her approach and targets when met with refusal to engage.

Further revelations in court included Wandelt's history of claiming to be other missing children. At different times, she alleged to be German Inga Gerhicke and American Acacia Bishop. The prosecution presented evidence recovered from Wandelt's phone, showing manipulated images sent to Amelie McCann, altered to suggest physical similarities and a familial connection where none existed. These were described as "emotional manipulation of the first order" by Mr. Duck.

Co-accused Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, also faces charges of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann, causing them "serious alarm or distress" between June 1, 2022, and February 21, 2025. Both Wandelt, who is in custody, and Spragg, on conditional bail, deny the charges. The prosecution described their behavior as a "well-planned campaign of harassment," reflecting a continued disregard for the McCanns' plight and perpetuating harmful conspiracy theories.

The McCanns have endured unimaginable trauma since their daughter's disappearance, further compounded by the constant public scrutiny and "vitriol" from individuals who fail to acknowledge their suffering. Mr. Duck underscored that while empathy from millions worldwide has been received, a group of individuals, including the defendants, continues to inflict "further misery" upon the family. The trial, which is expected to last three weeks, continues as the court seeks to address these serious allegations of harassment.