Madeleine's great-aunt tells court that alleged stalker not missing girl

RELATION WAS CONFRONTED AT VIGIL IN HOME VILLAGE

- By DYLAN HAYWARD

MADELEINE McCann's great-aunt has told a jury she was “stunned” when an alleged stalker of the family attended an annual vigil in their home village, adding there was “no way” she was the missing girl.

Janet Kennedy, who is Kate McCann's aunt, told Leicester Crown Court she “could not accept” that Julia Wandelt, 24, was her missing great-niece, adding that the “essential person that Madeleine is - was - was not there”.

Giving evidence yesterday, Mrs Kennedy said Wandelt confronted her and gave her an envelope with information “that would prove she was Madeleine” during the yearly gathering in Rothley on May 3 last year.

She told the jury: “She said she was Madeleine and that she was sorry the McCanns weren't there, but she wished me to give them some information and she presented me with an envelope with information that would prove she was Madeleine.

“I was rather stunned by her approach. I looked at her and thought ‘she is not Madeleine! There’s just no way she could be Madeleine at all.

“I think one's recognition of someone is something that is intuitive. You just know the person. The essential person that Madeleine is - was - was not there.