Accused Harasser Inquired: 'But What If I Could Be Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Karen Spragg - according to court testimony believes she is missing Madeleine McCann - contest the allegations

A woman accused with pursuing Kate McCann apparently recorded her a recorded message which asked: "imagine I am Madeleine?"

The defendant, 24, who a jury heard has repeatedly asserted she was the disappeared Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are standing trial charged with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February the current year.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's case has never been concluded

On Monday, the tribunal heard call records and information obtained from phones documented Ms Wandelt persistently asking Madeleine's mother for a genetic test over 2023 and 2024.

Madeleine's case in 2007 - at the age of three during a family holiday in Portugal - is one of the most widely reported child disappearance cases and is still unsolved.

'I Don't Want Money'

One voicemail, presented in court, recorded Ms Wandelt declaring: "I understand I'm fat and plain like Madeleine was, but I know what I believe."

While another instance of Ms Wandelt's one-way conversations with Mrs McCann's answerphone stated: "Imagine there is a slight possibility that I am Madeleine? What happens next? Isn't that significant for you?"

"I am not seeking money, I maintain a life here in Poland, I only wish to understand," she added.

The tribunal was told that through emails, SMS messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt asked for a DNA test, transmitted early photographs to her phone in a bid to demonstrate a resemblance to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and claimed to have "recollections" from a early life with the McCanns.

An intelligence analyst, an intelligence analyst with the police force who collated the evidence, told the court there "seemed to lack any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt furthermore reached out to close associates of the McCanns, according to the communication logs.

On October 9th, 2024, the father answered a communication from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, saying she had "the wrong phone."

On that occasion Ms Wandelt left a voicemail on Mrs McCann's answerphone saying "I won't give up and I intend to demonstrate my claim."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann provided testimony to the court from using a privacy screen on Wednesday

The court was informed Mrs Spragg established a association online with Ms Wandelt before assisting her on a visit to the McCanns' property in the county in last December.

Phone records revealed Mrs Spragg had communicated via messaging service to Mrs McCann to say the media had depicted Ms Wandelt as "mentally unstable" but that she ought to be taken seriously in the months preceding the trip to Rothley, the county, in last December.

The court heard message exchanges between the two accused, in that autumn, discussing attempting to acquire Mrs McCann's DNA samples from her bins or from silverware at a dining venue.

"We have to take action," Mrs Spragg advised Ms Wandelt.

On the night of the trip to their residence, the defendant sent a communication which said: "We're currently positioned adjacent to the McCanns' residence with our vehicle dark like detectives. I desired to accomplish this with another person I never thought I would be involved in this with the McCanns."

The trial ongoing.

Dana Jones
Dana Jones

A dedicated eSports journalist with a passion for competitive gaming and community building.