By CLAIRE DUFFIN
Published: | Updated:
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Two women have denied stalking the family of Madeleine McCann.
Polish national, 23-year-old Julia Wandel - who claims to bemissing Madeline - and 60-year-old Karen Spragg, of Caerau in Cardiff, pleaded not guilty to stalking the McCann family at a brief hearing at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday morning.
Wearing a white and blue skirt suit, Spragg beamed as Wandel entered the dock from the cells and took a seat beside her. Wandel, in a long-sleeved white blouse, waved at supporters in the public gallery who waved back.
She spoke to confirm her name was Julia Wandel 'according to documents' and to enter her plea during the hearing.
The pair will now face trial at the same court in October, when Kate and Gerry McCann and their twins Sean and Amelie are due to give evidence.
Karen Spragg pictured arriving at Leicester Crown Court, is charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress
She is accused of turning up at Gerry and Kate McCann's Leicestershire home with co-accused Julia Wandel (pictured), 23, a Polish woman who has claimed to be the couple's missing daughter Madeleine
Madeleine McCann's (pictured) disappearance while on a family holiday in Portugal's Algarve at the age of three in 2007 is one of the most widely reported missing child cases in history and remains unsolved
The two women are accused of the McCann family between June 22 and February 2025.
Wandel is alleged to have attended the family home in Leicestershire on May 2 and December 7 last year, a court previously heard.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann, and sending Amelie and Sean McCannInstagrammessages between January 3 and December 29 last year.
Spragg is alleged to have made calls, sent letters and attended the home address of Mr and Mrs McCann, a court heard previously.
Leicester Crown Court heard their conduct 'had a substantial adverse effect' on the family's day-to-day activities 'when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress'.
Karen Spragg (left) was released on bail on the condition she did not contact the McCann family or enter Leicestershire
Spragg (pictured outside court in March) has been charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress between May 3, 2024 and February 21 this year
Wandel, who has claimed to be Madeleine, was arrested at Bristol Airport on suspicion of stalking involving serious alarm and distress.Pictured: Court sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Wandel at Leicester Magistrates Court last month
It is alleged she made unwanted contact with the McCanns, turned up at their address and sent letters, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages, which amounted to stalking. Pictured: Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann
She was released on bail on the condition not to contact the McCanns or enter Leicestershire, apart from to attend court.
Wandel was remanded in custody until August.
Madeleine McCann's disappearance while on a family holiday in Portugal's Algarve at the age of three in in 2007 is one of the most widely reported missing child cases in history and remains unsolved.
Madeleine's parents and siblings did not attend court today.
Bristol AirportMadeleine McCann
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