Sean McCann told jurors he was contacted ‘persistently’ on Instagram by Polish national Julia Wandelt – who allegedly claimed to be missing Madeleine
Madeleine McCann’s brother Sean shared the “disturbing” name of the “stalker’s” social media account, which was allegedly used to message the missing girl’s family.
The 20-year-old brother gave evidence in the trial of two women, Julia Wandelt, 24, and Karen Spragg, 61, who are accused of stalking the McCann family. Sean told the court that Wandelt, a Polish national, had contacted him “persistently” on Instagram through an account with a “disturbing” name.
Madeleine’s younger brother told jurors Wandelt’s apparent social media account was called “I Am Madeleine McCann” and he accused the Polish woman of “stalking” him and his family.
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Wandelt, who has allegedly claimed she is the missing British girl, heard Sean tell jurors that he did not believe she was Madeleine – who disappeared aged three during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007.
Sean said: “I do not believe she is my sister. I find it deeply disturbing.” He said that seeing his mum and sister upset “of course makes me upset”.
The brother described her claims as “hurtful” and added: “It’s a very sensitive topic for me and the family. I’m not interested in what she has to say. I do not believe she is Madeleine. I find it strage and upsetting.”
Madeleine’s sister Amelie also gave evidence to the Leicester Crown Court where the 20-year-old also claimed Wandelt sent her a series of messages on Instagram and Facebook.
Amelie told jurors that Wandelt vowed “I will do whatever it takes” to prove her apparent identity, the court having heard earlier that the Polish national claims to be Madeleine.
When Madeleine’s sister was asked how the message made her feel, she said: “It shows you the lengths she would go to, to try to get heard. It was scary as you don’t know what she would do next.”
Amelie said of Wandelt: “It’s clear that she thinks she is Madeleine. She can’t understand why no-one is helping her to get proof.” She also told jurors that the 24-year-old sent letters with photographs of her and images of the alleged stalker.
Commenting on the photos of Wandelt, Madeleine’s sister said: “I didn’t like it, it made me feel very uncomfortable and I’m not sure if it was this one but she clearly altered or edited the pictures to make it look more like her, which is quite disturbing.”
Polish national Wandelt is on trial accused of stalking the McCanns for over two and a half years while allegedly claiming she was the missing girl.
She is on trial alongside co-accused Karen Spragg, from Cardiff, who has been accused of one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, after she allegedly made calls, sent letters and visited the McCann’s home address. The trial continues.