Woman Charged with Stalking Family of Missing Girl Madeleine McCann
Julia Wandel faces allegations of stalking in connection with the high-profile case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance.
Julia Wandel, a 23-year-old woman who previously claimed to be Madeleine McCann, has been remanded in custody after being charged with stalking the McCann family.
The allegations include turning up at their home and contacting them repeatedly in the period from January 3, 2024, to February 15, 2025.
Wandel was arrested on Wednesday at Bristol Airport and subsequently appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on Friday.
She is accused of making multiple forms of contact with Kate and Gerry McCann, as well as their children, Sean and Amelie.
The charges detail that she made phone calls, sent a letter, left voicemails, and communicated through WhatsApp messages.
Specifically, she is alleged to have sent Instagram messages to Sean and Amelie McCann during the timeframe indicated.
The stalking charges claim that the alleged behavior had a "substantial adverse effect" on the family's daily life, with the prosecution arguing that Wandel should have known her actions would cause alarm or distress to the McCann family.
Under UK law, the maximum penalty for stalking offenses includes up to 12 months in custody and/or an unlimited fine.
During the court proceedings, Wandel identified herself by her legal name, stating "Julia Wandel according to court documents," and provided her date of birth, but did not indicate her pleas regarding the charges.
Originally from Poland, she has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear for a plea hearing at Leicester Crown Court on April 7.
Another individual, a 60-year-old woman from Wales, was also arrested at Bristol Airport on suspicion of stalking in connection with this case but has since been released on bail.
Surjit Singh Clair, a spokesperson for Wandel, expressed shock and disappointment regarding her arrest, emphasizing the existence of arrangements for her to stay away from the McCann family.
The case of Madeleine McCann, who disappeared nearly 18 years ago just before her fourth birthday, remains one of the most prominent missing persons investigations in the UK. She was last seen by her family at the family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007.
The allegations include turning up at their home and contacting them repeatedly in the period from January 3, 2024, to February 15, 2025.
Wandel was arrested on Wednesday at Bristol Airport and subsequently appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on Friday.
She is accused of making multiple forms of contact with Kate and Gerry McCann, as well as their children, Sean and Amelie.
The charges detail that she made phone calls, sent a letter, left voicemails, and communicated through WhatsApp messages.
Specifically, she is alleged to have sent Instagram messages to Sean and Amelie McCann during the timeframe indicated.
The stalking charges claim that the alleged behavior had a "substantial adverse effect" on the family's daily life, with the prosecution arguing that Wandel should have known her actions would cause alarm or distress to the McCann family.
Under UK law, the maximum penalty for stalking offenses includes up to 12 months in custody and/or an unlimited fine.
During the court proceedings, Wandel identified herself by her legal name, stating "Julia Wandel according to court documents," and provided her date of birth, but did not indicate her pleas regarding the charges.
Originally from Poland, she has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear for a plea hearing at Leicester Crown Court on April 7.
Another individual, a 60-year-old woman from Wales, was also arrested at Bristol Airport on suspicion of stalking in connection with this case but has since been released on bail.
Surjit Singh Clair, a spokesperson for Wandel, expressed shock and disappointment regarding her arrest, emphasizing the existence of arrangements for her to stay away from the McCann family.
The case of Madeleine McCann, who disappeared nearly 18 years ago just before her fourth birthday, remains one of the most prominent missing persons investigations in the UK. She was last seen by her family at the family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007.
