Woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann charged with stalking
A woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been charged with stalking the parents and siblings of the missing girl by turning up at the family home, leaving voicemails and sending messages.
Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, was arrested at Bristol airport on Wednesday, Leicestershire police said. Madeleine went missing in 2007 shortly before her fourth birthday.
The charges accuse Wandel, 23, of stalking Kate, Gerry, Sean and Amelie McCann between 3 January 2024 and 15 February 2025. Wandel is alleged to have been at the family home on 2 May and 7 December last year.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann and to have sent Amelie and Sean McCann Instagram messages between 3 January and 29 December last year.
The charges state the alleged context 'had a substantial adverse effect' on the family's day-to-day activities 'when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress'.
All four stalking offences carry a maximum penalty of 12 months in custody and/or an unlimited fine.
Appearing at Leicester magistrates' court on Friday, the defendant spoke to say her full name was Julia Wandel 'according to court documents', gave her date of birth and gave no indication as to her pleas.
Wandel, who is originally from Poland, was remanded into custody to appear for a plea hearing at Leicester crown court on 7 April.
A second woman, aged 60 and from Wales, who was also arrested at the airport on suspicion of stalking, has been released on bail, police added.
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