Madeleine McCann’s dad Gerry told a stalking trial today of three reasons why he and his wife Kate did not agree to a DNA test which Polish woman Julia Wandelt requested the family carry out
Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007(Image: PA)
Madeleine McCann’s dad Gerry McCann has explained three reasons why he and his wife Kate did not agree to Julia Wandelt’s request for a DNA test at a stalking trial.
Wandelt, 24, from Lubin in south-west Poland, and Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, deny a count of stalking causing serious alarm and distress to Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February this year. Jurors at Leicester Crown Court were told from the start by the prosecution that there was “unequivocal scientific evidence” that Wandelt has no familial link to the McCanns despite her claiming to have memories of the girl’s childhood and disappearance.
And today, the third day of proceedings, the parents of Madeleine McCann both gave evidence from behind a curtain as they spoke of their distress and anger at the actions of Wandelt and Spragg.
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Julia Wandelt wanted Madeleine’s parents to agree to a DNA test(Image: PA)
During questioning, Mr McCann told the court that there were three reasons why he and his wife did not go ahead with a DNA test to prove one way or the other whether Wandelt was Madeleine. He said: “It’s very clear. First of all, we did not believe she was Madeleine.
“Secondly, we had been reassured by the Metropolitan Police that following inquiries undertaken in Poland… she was definitely not Madeleine. Thirdly, it is not our responsibility to do a DNA test. That’s a matter for the investigator forces.”
Court artist sketch of Julia Wandelt (left) and Karen Spragg(Image: PA)
He added: “I was aware Julia had supporters and people supporting her claim which we knew not to be true.” Earlier prosecutor Michael Duck KC asked Mrs McCann about a voicemail message left on her phone by Wandelt which asked her and husband Gerry for a DNA test to be carried out.
He said: “Was that something you had a willingness or desire to do?” Mrs McCann replied: “If I’m honest, because of the persistence of Julia’s behaviour, it did start to get to me. I almost wanted a DNA test to put it to bed… from the photographs.. I knew it wasn’t her.”
Julie Wandelt is accused of stalking
Asked about the personal impact of the alleged stalking over the last two-and-a-half years, Mrs McCann said her level of “stress and anxiety” had increased but she felt “more relaxed” after being told Wandelt was arrested at Bristol Airport on February 19 this year.
Mrs McCann said: “I feel like it has escalated, the level of stress and anxiety it’s caused me has increased over that time. I would say it’s only since February 19 you notice a change, you actually feel more relaxed.”
The trial continues.
