Maddie McCann's Siblings Detail Alleged Harasser's Behavior as Deeply Disturbing and Creepy

Madeleine McCann twin siblings, Sean and Amelie, have told the court that their encounters with an alleged stalker were extremely disturbing and unsettling. They described feeling stressed and scared by a woman who insisted she was their long-lost sister.

Persistent Contact Detailed as Frightening

Testifying remotely, Amelie described how the defendant, Julia Wandelt, reached out to her multiple times through online platforms and letters. She said the persistence was very frightening since you don’t know what she’ll do next.

Communications from the defendant were presented in court, in which she recounted recollections of being in the McCann household that she claimed were recalled during hypnotherapy. Amelie testified, It’s quite disturbing that she's inventing these alleged memories, even though she isn't Maddie.

Fabricated Pictures Heightened Unease

The court learned that the accused had created pictures of herself and Amelie as children, which the prosecution said were made with ChatGPT. A number of these images were transmitted through social media, while others were produced physically and enclosed in a mail to her.

Amelie said, I didn’t like it, it caused me to feel very uncomfortable. It was evident she altered the images to make me look more like her, which was very disturbing. I was aware I didn’t look like that, I knew it had been changed.

Psychological Impact on the Family

Amelie also spoke about the impact of the alleged harassment on her parent, their mother, who gave evidence about being approached at home by the defendant and her alleged accomplice, a 61-year-old woman.

I think my mother found it the most difficult. My mother was targeted by the defendant to a greater extent than the others in the family and I think it certainly took its toll on her and her wellbeing, she testified. It’s upsetting when someone’s begging you to believe them and manipulating your emotions, to the extent you are questioning yourself.

Brother's Statement on Anxiety and Digital Scrutiny

In a witness statement read to the court, her brother stated that personally, he had not been severely affected by the defendant's accused stalking. But he had been distressed that she was drawing online attention, with people posting hurtful and unjust comments about his mother and father.

In the event that Wandelt was not suffering from a psychological condition and was fully aware she is not Maddie, yet continues to assert she is, that would be very upsetting for me, he testified. I do not believe she is my sister. The fact that the defendant is doing this has resulted in a significant amount of stress and I find it deeply disturbing.

The defendant and Spragg have pleaded not guilty to stalking the family family. The trial are ongoing.