Alleged Stalker Inquired: 'However What If I Am Madeleine?'
A female charged with stalking Kate McCann allegedly recorded her a phone message which questioned: "what if I am Madeleine?"
The defendant, twenty-four, who a jury heard has consistently claimed she was the disappeared Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are standing trial indicted with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February the current year.
On Monday, Leicester Crown Court heard communication data and information obtained from phones recorded Ms Wandelt persistently demanding Madeleine's mother for a DNA test over the past two years.
Madeleine's disappearance in 2007 - at the age of three during a family holiday in Portugal - is one of the most publicized missing child cases and remains open.
'I Am Not Seeking Money'
One recorded message, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt declaring: "I know I'm heavy and not pretty like Madeleine was, but I believe what I know."
While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's one-way conversations with Mrs McCann's recording stated: "Suppose there is a small chance that I'm her? Then what? Isn't that significant for you?"
"I do not need money, I possess a life here in Poland, I only wish to understand," she added.
The jury was advised that via emails, SMS messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt demanded a genetic test, transmitted youth pictures to her phone in a effort to display a similarity to Mrs McCann's missing daughter, and asserted to have "recollections" from a childhood with the McCanns.
Robert Jones, a data specialist with law enforcement who collated the evidence, advised the court there "seemed to lack any answers" from Mrs McCann.
Ms Wandelt furthermore contacted family friends of the McCanns, as per the communication logs.
On October 9th, 2024, Mr McCann picked up a call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "the wrong phone."
On that occasion Ms Wandelt recorded a message on Mrs McCann's answerphone declaring "I will persist and I intend to demonstrate my point."
The court was informed the co-defendant developed a relationship through digital means with Ms Wandelt preceding joining her on a visit to the McCanns' property in Leicestershire in that winter.
Call logs showed Mrs Spragg had contacted using messaging service to Mrs McCann to express the news outlets had depicted Ms Wandelt as "emotionally disturbed" but that she ought to be treated respectfully in the months before the visit to that location, the county, in last December.
The court heard communications between the two individuals, in last November, considering endeavoring to get Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her garbage or from cutlery at a dining venue.
"We have to take action," the co-defendant informed Ms Wandelt.
On the evening of the appearance to their home, Mrs Spragg transmitted a communication which said: "We find ourselves sitting adjacent to the McCanns' house with our vehicle dark like investigators. I desired to accomplish this with Peter Andrew I didn't imagine I would be doing that with the McCanns."
The proceedings proceeds.
