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Polish woman charged with stalking the McCann family
The Independent
|February 22, 2025
A woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been remanded in custody after being charged with stalking the missing girl's parents and siblings.
Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, was arrested at Bristol airport on Wednesday.
Appearing at Leicester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the defendant spoke to say her full name was Julia Wandel “according to court documents”. The 23-year-old also gave her date of birth.
Ms Wandel, who wore a beige jumper in the courtroom, was asked a number of times to confirm whether she pleaded guilty, not guilty, or would give no indication as to her plea. When she gave no indication, she told magistrates: “Sorry, I’m stressed.”
Ms Wandel is accused of stalking Kate, Gerry, Sean and Amelie McCann between 3 January 2024 and 15 February 2025. She is alleged to have attended the family home on 2 May and 7 December 2024, and to have sent a letter, made calls, left voicemails, and sent WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann.
The court was told the defendant had sent Amelie and Sean McCann Instagram messages between 3 January and 29 December 2024.
This story is from the February 22, 2025 edition of The Independent.
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