Amelie McCann, 20, the sister of missing Madeleine, told an ongoing trial her family took action at their home after being allegedly stalked by two women
The trial of two women accused of stalking Madeleine McCann’s family has heard evidence from her parents and twin siblings(Image: PA)
Madeleine McCann’s sister has shared the drastic measure her family took amid the alleged ‘stalking’ they faced.
Amelie, 20, has given evidence in the trial of two women, Polish national Julia Wandelt, 24, and Welsh woman Karen Spragg, 61, who are accused of stalking the missing girl’s family. Madeleine’s sister told jurors that she received “uncomfortable” messages through Instagram and Facebook, while mum Kate McCann yesterday told the court she was confronted by the two women at her home.
Amelie revealed to Leicester Crown Court that her family installed a device at their home following these alleged stalking incidents.
Court sketch of Amelie McCann from today(Image: PA)
The sister told jurors her family set up a panic alarm in the house which would alert the police. She said: “It’s connected to the police in Leicestershire, so if we pressed it, it would alert them and they would know where to come.”
She told the court about the impact that had on her, adding: “That’s not normal. That’s impinging on your life. The thought of her potentially turning up is very scary for me.”
Julia Wandelt has allegedly claimed to be Madeleine McCann(Image: help-for-julia-wandelt/gogetfunding)
Amelie told the jury that Wandelt, who is also accused of pretending to be Madeleine, had started messaging her on social media back in January 2024.
The court heard that in the first message to Amelie, Wandelt said she had “so many flashbacks”, adding: “I know so many things. I don’t know if this is the real account for Amelie McCann but I can tell you my memories.”
Karen Spragg has been accused of one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress(Image: PA)
When asked how she felt when the 24-year-old claimed to have childhood memories in the McCann family home, Amelie said: “It’s quite disturbing that she is coming up with these supposed memories even though she is not Madeleine.”
Madeleine’s sister added that she did not want the Polish national to get a DNA test because she “always knew that she wasn’t Madeleine”.
Kate and Gerry McCann gave evidence in court on Wednesday (pictured in 2017)(Image: PA)
Prosecutor Nadia Silver asked: “At any point, did you want to do a DNA test with Julia Wandelt?” Miss McCann replied: “No.”
Asked why she did not want to do a DNA test, Madeleine’s sister continued: “Because I always knew that she wasn’t Madeleine so I didn’t need to do one and the, not guidance, but the people around me didn’t think it was appropriate either for her to get a DNA test.”
Court sketch of Julia Wandelt (left) and Karen Spragg (right) at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday(Image: PA)
Polish national Wandelt is on trial accused of stalking the McCanns for over two and a half years while allegedly claiming she was the missing girl.
She is on trial alongside co-accused Karen Spragg, from Cardiff, who has been accused of one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, after she allegedly made calls, sent letters and visited the McCann’s home address. The trial continues.
