Suspected Harasser Asked: 'Yet Imagine I Might Be Madeleine?'
A woman accused with harassing Kate McCann reportedly deposited her a phone message which asked: "what if I am Madeleine?"
The defendant, twenty-four, who court testimony revealed has repeatedly declared she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are standing trial accused with pursuing Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February the current year.
On Monday, Leicester Crown Court was told phone records and data recovered from phones logged Ms Wandelt consistently asking Madeleine's mother for a DNA test during that period.
Madeleine's case in 2007 - as a three-year-old during a family holiday in Portugal - is one of the most widely reported child disappearance cases and continues to be unresolved.
'I Don't Want Money'
Another phone message, played in court, captured Ms Wandelt declaring: "I realize I'm heavy and plain like Madeleine was, but I believe what I know."
While one recording of Ms Wandelt's monologues with Mrs McCann's recording stated: "What if there is a small chance that I am she? Then what? Wouldn't that be significant for you?"
"I don't want money, I maintain a life here in Poland, I simply desire to know," the message continued.
The panel was told that by means of emails, text messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt requested a genetic test, forwarded childhood photos to her phone in a attempt to show a similarity to Mrs McCann's disappeared daughter, and asserted to have "recollections" from a childhood with the McCanns.
Robert Jones, a data specialist with law enforcement who gathered the evidence, told the court there "seemed to lack any replies" from Mrs McCann.
Ms Wandelt furthermore contacted family friends of the McCanns, according to the communication logs.
On 9 October 2024, Mr McCann responded to a communication from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, stating she had "incorrect contact information."
During that incident Ms Wandelt left a message on Mrs McCann's voicemail declaring "I will continue and I will prove my claim."
The court was informed the co-defendant developed a association via internet with Ms Wandelt prior to joining her on a appearance to the McCanns' residence in that area in that winter.
Phone records revealed Mrs Spragg had communicated through messaging service to Mrs McCann to say the press had depicted Ms Wandelt as "a crazy person" but that she ought to be treated respectfully in the period preceding the appearance to that location, that area, in last December.
The court was told message exchanges between the two accused, in last November, discussing attempting to acquire Mrs McCann's DNA samples from her garbage or from silverware at a restaurant.
"We have to assert ourselves," the co-defendant advised Ms Wandelt.
On the evening of the appearance to their home, Mrs Spragg sent a text which expressed: "We are sat adjacent to the McCanns' home with our lights out resembling detectives. I desired to do this with someone else I never thought I would be involved in this with the McCanns."
The trial continues.