The McCann family’s story is very sad. In 2007, their little girl, Madeleine, went missing in Portugal. The whole world heard about it. Now, something new has happened. Two women are in court for stalking the McCann family. This case makes their sad story even harder. This article explains the stalking case, the laws about it, and how it affects the McCanns.
The McCann Story
In 2007, Madeleine McCann was three years old. She was on vacation with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal. One night, she disappeared from their apartment. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were eating at a restaurant nearby. They checked on her often, but she was gone when they returned. This became a huge news story. People all over the world wanted to help find Madeleine.
Police in Portugal and the UK looked for her. They had many ideas about what happened. Some thought she was taken. Others thought it was an accident. The McCanns were suspects for a short time, but police said they were innocent. Despite years of searching, Madeleine is still missing. The McCanns started a group to keep looking for her. They never give up hope.
This tragedy made the McCanns famous. Many people support them. But some people bother them. The stalking case is a new problem for them. It shows how hard their life is.
What Is the Stalking Case?
Two women, Julia Wandel and Karen Spragg, are in court for stalking the McCanns. Julia Wandel is 23 years old and from Poland. Karen Spragg is 60 years old and from Cardiff, Wales. They are accused of bothering Kate, Gerry, and their other children, Sean and Amelie. The stalking happened between January 2024 and February 2025. Both women say they are not guilty.
The court says Julia Wandel sent letters, calls, voicemails, and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry. She also sent Instagram messages to Sean and Amelie. She visited the McCann family’s home in Leicestershire on May 2 and December 7, 2024. Karen Spragg is accused of making calls, sending letters, and going to the McCanns’ home too. These actions scared and upset the family.
Julia Wandel once said she was Madeleine McCann. She posted this on Instagram in 2023. A DNA test proved she is not Madeleine. She is Polish. But she kept contacting the McCanns. This made them feel unsafe. The court is now deciding what to do.
What Does the Law Say About Stalking?
Stalking Explained
Stalking is a crime in the UK. It’s when someone keeps bothering another person and makes them feel scared. The law comes from the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Stalking can include sending messages, calling, or showing up at someone’s house. It must happen more than once and make the person feel afraid.
To prove stalking, the court needs to show:
- The person meant to bother the victim.
- The actions made the victim feel scared or upset.
- The behavior happened over time, not just once.
If someone is guilty, they could go to jail for up to seven years. They might also get a fine or a rule not to contact the victim.
The Court Process
Julia Wandel and Karen Spragg are in court now. The police collected evidence, like messages and letters. They decided there was enough proof to charge both women. Julia faces four counts of stalking. Karen faces one count.
The case started at Leicester Magistrates’ Court. Julia was arrested at Bristol Airport on February 19, 2025. She was kept in custody. Karen was arrested too but let go on bail. She cannot contact the McCanns or go to Leicestershire unless it’s for court. Both women will go to Leicester Crown Court on April 22, 2025, to say if they are guilty or not.
In court, the prosecution will show how the women’s actions hurt the McCanns. The defense will try to show the actions were not stalking or not meant to harm. A judge or jury will decide. Because the case is ongoing, some details are private for now.
How This Affects the McCanns
The McCanns have been sad since Madeleine disappeared. They miss her every day. They also face a lot of attention. Some people say mean things about them online. Others believe wrong ideas about what happened. This stalking case makes their life even harder.
Stalking can make people feel unsafe in their own homes. For the McCanns, it’s a new kind of pain. They’ve said in interviews that living with so much attention is tough. They want to focus on finding Madeleine. But cases like this take their energy away. It can hurt their feelings and make them feel scared.
The McCanns have two other children, Sean and Amelie. They were babies when Madeleine went missing. Now they are teenagers. The stalking affected them too. Getting messages from strangers is scary. The family just wants to feel safe.
Why This Case Is Important
This case is not just about the law. It shows how people can get too interested in someone else’s sadness. The McCanns’ story is famous. Many people want to help them. But some people go too far. They bother the family or spread lies. This stalking case shows what happens when interest turns into harm.
The case also makes us think about mental health. Sometimes, people who stalk others have problems in their minds. They might be obsessed or not understand how they hurt people. Julia Wandel said she was Madeleine, which shows she was very focused on the case. The court might look at her mental health to decide what to do.
Finally, this case reminds us about Madeleine. Her story is still important. The McCanns keep looking for her. This case brings attention back to their search. It’s a chance to support them and other missing children.
The Media’s Role
The McCann case is always in the news. This helps keep Madeleine’s story alive. It can lead to new clues. But it also brings problems. Some people get too curious. They contact the family or spread wrong ideas. This stalking case shows how media attention can lead to bad actions.
Good journalists tell the truth. They don’t make things sound worse than they are. This article tries to do that. It explains the case without hurting the McCanns more. It uses facts, not guesses.
People are interested in the McCanns. That’s okay. But bothering them is wrong. This case teaches us to respect people who are hurting.
Stalking and Mental Health
Stalking can happen because of mental health problems. Some people get too focused on someone else. They might not know they’re causing harm. Julia Wandel’s claim to be Madeleine shows she was very interested in the case. The court might look at her mental health to understand why she did this.
Helping people with mental health issues can stop stalking. Therapy can teach them to control their thoughts. Courts sometimes send people to get help instead of jail. This depends on what they did and if they’re dangerous.
We can all help. Talking about stalking shows it’s not okay. Learning about boundaries can stop these problems before they start.
Protecting People Like the McCanns
This case shows we need to protect people in famous cases. The McCanns are not the only ones who get bothered. Many families with missing loved ones face this. Laws like the UK’s stalking law help. But we need more.
Counseling can help families feel better. Police need to act fast when someone reports stalking. Teaching people to respect others’ privacy can make a difference. The McCanns are strong. They keep looking for Madeleine. But they shouldn’t have to deal with stalking too.
Conclusion
Two women, Julia Wandel and Karen Spragg, are in court for stalking the McCann family. They sent messages and visited the family’s home. This scared Kate, Gerry, Sean, and Amelie. The case started in 2024 and is now in court. It’s a sad addition to the McCanns’ story, which began when Madeleine went missing in 2007.
Disclaimer: This article is only for sharing news and information. It is not advice, promotion, or an advert. I do not have any link with the McCann family, the people in court, or any group. All details are from public news reports at the time of writing. Some parts of the case may change later. I am not responsible for how this information is used.
