Woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann stored in custody after showing in UK courtroom for ‘stalking’

A woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann is being held on remand after appearing in court accused stalking the missing Brit’s mum and dad.

Julia Wandel, 23, has been remanded into custody at Leicester Magistrates’ Court, where she was said to have stalked Kate and McCann Gerry and their two children, Sean and Amelie McCann for the past year.

Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, was arrested at Bristol Airport on Wednesday, Leicestershire Police said.

Charges on the the court list state that she is accused of stalking Kate, Gerry, Sean and Amelie McCann between January 3 2024 and February 15 2025.

And Wandel is alleged to have attended the family home on May 2 and December 7 last year.

She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann.

The defendant is alleged to have sent Amelie and Sean McCann Instagram messages between January 3 and December 29 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.

Wandel, who is originally from Poland, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, the force said.

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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