Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Julia Wandelt (left) and Karen Spragg at Leicester Crown Co (Image: PA)
An alleged stalker who claimed to be Madeleine McCann sent a disturbing Christmas Eve message to one of the missing girl’s parents’ closest friends, a court has heard. The 10-word note, which read “Merry Christmas David. The truth will set you all free” accompanied by a snowflake emoji, was among a series of upsetting communications directed by Julia Wandelt to David and Fiona Payne, who were holidaying in Portugal with the McCanns when Madeleine vanished in 2007.
Wandelt, 24, from Lubin in south-west Poland, and her co-defendant Karen Spragg, 61, from Caerau in Cardiff, are on trial at Leicester Crown Court accused of one count of stalking, which they both deny. Jurors were told that Wandelt peddled the myth that she was the missing three-year-old, while stalking Kate and Gerry McCann through emails, phone calls and visits to their home between June 2022 and February 2025. Wandelt also contacted the Paynes’ daughter, who has been “adversely impacted” by Madeleine’s disappearance, angering Mrs Payne.
Read more: DNA test carried out on ‘stalker’ pretending to be Madeleine McCann
Madeleine McCann went missing 18 years ago (Image: PA)
In one message, Wandelt suggested that if she underwent a DNA test with the McCanns, members of the “tapas group” – the friends who dined together on the night Madeleine went missing – could “clear your names”.
Mr and Mrs Payne, who have been “very close friends” to the McCanns for around 25 years, gave evidence on Wednesday and described receiving calls and messages from Wandelt last year.
Mrs Payne told the court she was “angry” that Wandelt sent friend requests and messages to their daughter.
She said: “It’s really difficult actually.
“I think she’s a vulnerable young adult who has been adversely affected by Madeleine’s disappearance.
“She has the good sense to ignore these messages.
“I feel angry actually that she (Wandelt) sought to manipulate her in that way.”
Julia Wandelt’s claim to be Madeleine McCann has been comprehensively debunked (Image: Instagram)
Speaking about the messages sent to her family more generally, Mrs Payne told the court: “It’s disturbing.
“We have had a lot of contact from various people over the years, reporters and the like wanting information or people with conspiracy theories. However, we have never been contacted by anyone who thinks they could be Madeleine.”
Recordings of two phone calls between Wandelt and Mr Payne on October 8 and 9 last year were played to the court.
In the first, Wandelt is heard to say: “Please connect me with Kate and Gerry.
“Operation Grange threatened me and I never lied.”
In a call the next day, Wandelt asked for a DNA test before Mr Payne said: “I don’t know who you are”.
Wandelt replied: “I’m Julia Wandelt. I’m trying everywhere. All doors are closed. I truly believe I might be Madeleine.”
Karen Spragg is also accused of stalking the McCanns (Image: PA)
Mr Payne told the jury: “I get a lot of phone calls and when you get someone ringing up in such a nature, it’s quite upsetting.
“I feel there was nothing I could provide during that conversation, as I alluded to.”
In a series of messages after these phone calls, Wandelt wrote: “I could hear the sadness in your voice David.
“You are literally the only person connected to Kate and Gerry McCann who answered my call and spoke with me a little bit.
“You are my only hope David. Help me please.”
In another message she said: “This could end your years of trauma and criticism too.
“As a member of the tapas group, you could clear your names.
“I can send all my evidence for review if you can find the strength to help me.”
In another message, the court heard, Wandelt asked for the McCanns’ blood groups and wrote: “I was given so many medications as a child… some can cause memory loss.
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“I was given big doses of those medications.
“Can you look at my medical records and give your opinion?
“I believe it’s possible it was attempted murder because I was given huge doses of medication.”
Mr Payne said he was “surprised and concerned” that Wandelt had photographs of the McCann and Payne families which had not been made public.
In a message, Wandelt wrote: “I’m not going to publish them because I respect the privacy of you, your daughters and the McCann family.
“These were never published by Kate and Gerry. Someone close to them believes me.”
The trial continues.