Members of the ‘tapas group’ who were in Portugal when Madeleine McCann went missing were also targeted by the McCann family’s alleged stalker, a court has heard.
Jurors were told that Julia Wandelt, 24, also contacted the daughter of David and Fiona Payne, who has been ‘adversely impacted’ by Maddie’s disappearance almost 20 years ago.
In one message, Wandelt, from Lubin in south-west Poland, suggested that if she did a DNA test with the McCanns, members of the ‘tapas group’ could ‘clear their names’, a court heard.
The Paynes have been close friends with the McCanns for around 25 years, and evidence today at Leicester Crown Court shows that Wandelt called them and sent them both messages last year.
Mrs Payne told the court she was furious that Wandelt sent friend requests and messages to their daughter.
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‘It’s really difficult, actually. I think she’s a vulnerable young adult who has been adversely affected by Madeleine’s disappearance,’ she said.
She added: ‘We have had a lot of contact from various people over the years, reporters and the like wanting information or people with conspiracy theories; however, we have never been contacted by anyone who thinks they could be Madeleine.’
Prosecutors allege Wandelt peddled the myth that she was Madeleine, who went missing in 2007 during a family holiday, while stalking Kate and Gerry McCann by sending emails, making phone calls and turning up at their address between June 2022 and February this year.
The court was played two phone calls between Wandelt and Mr Payne, where she asked to be connected with Kate and Gerry.
In one call, Wandelt asked for a DNA test before Mr Payne said, ‘I don’t know who you are.’
Wandelt replied: ‘I’m Julia Wandelt. I’m trying everywhere. All doors are closed. I truly believe I might be Madeleine.’
Yesterday, the court heard that DNA testing proved Wandelt was not Madeleine McCann.
In a series of messages after these phone calls, Wandelt wrote: ‘I could hear the sadness in your voice, David. You are literally the only person connected to Kate and Gerry McCann who answered my call and spoke with me a little bit.
‘You are my only hope, David. Help me, please. This could end your years of trauma and criticism, too. As a member of the tapas group, you could clear your name.’
Mr Payne said he was surprised and concerned that Wandelt had photographs of the McCann and Payne families which had not been made public.
In a message, Wandelt wrote: ‘I’m not going to publish them because I respect the privacy of you, your daughters and the McCann family. These were never published by Kate and Gerry. Someone close to them believes me.’
Wandelt and her co-defendant, 61-year-old Karen Spragg, of Caerau Court Road in Caerau, Cardiff, both deny one count of stalking.
The trial continues.
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