A grandmother, Karen Spragg, is on trial along with a young woman, Julia Wandelt, who believes she is Madeleine McCann. During police questioning, Spragg expressed her desire for Kate to give Wandelt a chance. The trial at Leicester Crown Court revealed that Spragg and Wandelt initially connected online, with Spragg commenting on Wandelt’s posts about her belief of being the missing girl who disappeared in Portugal in 2007 at the age of three.
In police statements read out in court, Spragg admitted to driving to the McCann family home and picking up Wandelt from the airport. They stayed at Spragg’s home in Cardiff before spending a night in a hotel near the McCann’s residence, where they waited. Spragg acknowledged confronting Kate and Gerry McCann, mentioning sending texts on behalf of Wandelt.
Regarding the encounter, Spragg described Kate as upset and Gerry as dismissive and rude towards them. She defended Wandelt, emphasizing her belief in Wandelt’s truthfulness and questioning why a DNA test had not been conducted to resolve the situation.
Spragg claimed her actions were motivated by her faith in Wandelt’s claims and criticized the McCanns for not accepting her. Wandelt faces accusations of stalking the McCanns and sending them various forms of communication. Spragg is also charged with stalking, with the alleged incidents occurring between June 2022 and February 2025. The trial is ongoing.
