Madeleine McCann Siblings Detail Supposed Stalker's Behavior as Deeply Disturbing and Unsettling

Maddie McCann twin siblings, Amelie and Sean, have told the court that their encounters with an alleged harasser were deeply disturbing and unsettling. They explained feeling anxious and frightened by a woman who claimed she was their long-lost sister.

Relentless Communication Detailed as Frightening

Appearing remotely, Amelie described how the defendant, the 24-year-old, contacted her multiple times through online platforms and letters. She said the relentlessness was quite frightening because it's impossible to predict what her next move might be.

Communications from Wandelt were read in court, in which she recounted recollections of being in the family home that she said were recalled during hypnotherapy. Amelie told the court, It's very upsetting that she’s coming up with these alleged recollections, despite the fact she’s not Maddie.

Altered Pictures Heightened Unease

The court heard that Wandelt had created pictures of herself and Amelie as young girls, which the prosecution said were generated with AI tools. A number of these photos were sent through social media, while others were printed and enclosed in a mail to Amelie.

Amelie stated, It was unpleasant, it made me feel very uncomfortable. She had clearly altered the images to make me appear similar to her, which was very disturbing. I knew I didn't resemble that, I knew it had been changed.

Psychological Toll on the Family

Amelie also spoke about the impact of the supposed harassment on her parent, Kate, who gave evidence about being approached at her residence by the defendant and her alleged accomplice, a 61-year-old woman.

I think my mother experienced it as the hardest. My mother was targeted by Julia to a greater extent than the others in the family and I think it definitely took its toll on her and her wellbeing, she testified. It's distressing when someone’s begging you to believe them and manipulating your emotions, to the point you are questioning yourself.

Brother's Testimony on Stress and Digital Attention

In a testimony read to the court, her brother stated that for him, he had not been too badly affected by Wandelt's accused stalking. However he had been upset that she was attracting social media scrutiny, with people saying hurtful and unjust things about his parents.

If she was not suffering from a psychological condition and was fully aware she is not Madeleine, yet continues to assert she is, that would be very distressing for me, he testified. I am convinced she is my sibling. The reality that Julia is doing this has resulted in a great deal of anxiety and I consider it deeply troubling.

Wandelt and Spragg deny harassing the McCann household. Proceedings continue.