Alleged McCann stalker 'stunned' vigil organiser

October 10, 2025

Alleged McCann stalker 'stunned' vigil organiser

The organiser of an annual vigil held to mark the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has told a court she was "stunned" after being approached by the alleged stalker of the missing girl's parents.

Julia Wandelt, who Leicester Crown Court heard believes she is Madeleine, and Karen Spragg are on trial charged with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann.

Janet Kennedy said Ms Wandelt went to the 3 May 2024 vigil, to mark Madeleine's disappearance on the same day in Portugal in 2007, and gave her an envelope before asking to speak to the girl's parents.

Mrs Kennedy said she "tried to be polite" and took the envelope but later destroyed it. Ms Wandelt and Mrs Spragg deny the charges.

Giving evidence on Friday, Mrs Kennedy, Madeleine's great-aunt, told the jury she had "always been there" for the family and was "a confidante" to Kate McCann.

She said she had seen media reporting about Ms Wandelt's claims before the 2024 vigil in Rothley, Leicestershire - which she said she helped organise each year - and added Mrs McCann had told her about someone "sending messages".

Mrs Kennedy told the court rain disrupted her preparations, with last year's vigil moved inside the nearby Baptist Church.

As people were gathering, parish priest Rev Robert Gladstone - who also gave evidence on Friday - told the court he was approached by someone who said her name was Julia, asking to be introduced to the McCanns.