Mathias Busekist
She is set to face trial in October.
A Polish woman who made international headlines in 2023 after claiming to be missing British child Madeleine McCann has pleaded not guilty to charges of stalking the McCann family.
Julia Wandel, 23, from Lubin, Poland, appeared before Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday, where she denied allegations of stalking Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and their children, Sean and Amelie.
Wandel is accused of contacting the McCanns through various means, including phone calls, voicemails, WhatsApp messages, and letters. Prosecutors also allege she visited the family’s home twice in 2024 and sent direct messages via Instagram to Madeleine’s now-teenage siblings.
Also appearing in court was 60-year-old Karen Spragg from Cardiff, who faces separate allegations of making phone calls, sending letters, and attending the McCann family’s home address. Spragg also pleaded not guilty to a charge of stalking.
While Wandel was remanded into custody, Spragg was released on conditional bail. Both women are scheduled to stand trial at Leicester Crown Court on October 2.
Wandel gained widespread attention in 2023 after she claimed on Instagram that she was Madeleine. She later appeared on the BBC Radio 4 podcast Why Do You Hate Me?, where she
However, in April 2023 a DNA test confirmed that Wandel was not Madeleine McCann.