Crime

Welsh woman in court over alleged stalking of Madeleine McCann’s parents

Published

1 month ago

October 6, 2025

Polish co-defendant claimed she was Madeleine, court hears

A WELSH woman is on trial accused of joining a two-year campaign of harassment against the parents of missing child Madeleine McCann.

Karen Spragg, aged 61, from Caerau, Cardiff, is appearing at Leicester Crown Court alongside Julia Wandelt, aged 24, from Lubin, Poland. Both deny a single charge of stalking causing serious alarm or distress to Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.

Madeleine vanished during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007 when she was just three years old. The case remains one of the most widely reported missing-child investigations in the world.

‘I could be your daughter’

Prosecutor Michael Duck KC told the jury that Wandelt had carried out a “well-planned campaign of harassment” over two and a half years, claiming she was Madeleine and repeatedly trying to contact the McCanns.

The court heard that in one email to Gerry McCann, Wandelt wrote: “I could be your daughter. It’s possible I’m her.” She also claimed she had scars in the same places as Madeleine and that people were “trying to cover up the story”.

The McCanns ignored her messages, but she continued to send emails and social-media posts, allegedly attempting to “engage and provoke a response”.

Messages to Madeleine’s sister

Wandelt also contacted Madeleine’s sister Amelie, claiming she had “flashbacks” and “memories of playing in the garden” with her. She asked Amelie not to block her and insisted she was telling the truth, saying the media had made her “look crazy”.

The court heard the Polish woman later obtained Kate McCann’s phone number, which has not changed since Madeleine’s disappearance. Between January 2023 and April 2024 she is said to have made more than 60 attempts to contact the family, including calls, texts, and voicemail messages.

One voicemail left for Kate McCann lasted nearly two minutes. In it, Wandelt said: “I don’t want any money, I just want to talk to you. Don’t give up on your daughter… please call me.”

Cardiff link to case

Prosecutors allege that Karen Spragg, from Caerau, became involved in the harassment campaign by supporting or amplifying Wandelt’s false claims online.

Both women are accused of stalking between June 2022 and February 2025, causing serious alarm or distress to the family.

Opening the case, Mr Duck KC told the jury: “Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann. This is not an issue you are going to have to decide.”

He said the McCann family had already endured “unimaginable trauma” since Madeleine’s disappearance, and that the alleged conduct “added to that suffering”.

The trial continues.

Crime

Man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman’s body found in Cardigan boatyard

Published

6 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Victim’s family informed as officers appeal for witnesses who were near the scene from Thursday night

POLICE have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a woman’s body at a boatyard in Cardigan.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to Netpool Boatyard at around 12:35pm on Saturday (Nov 15) after the body of a woman was found.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

The woman’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

There has been an increased police presence in the town since Saturday afternoon, with officers cordoning off the Netpool slipway and nearby access roads. Late on Saturday night, a boat covered in black plastic sheeting was removed from the scene as part of the ongoing forensic investigation.

Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who may have been at, or seen activity around, the boatyard from 9:00pm on Thursday, November 13 onwards.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police via the website https://orlo.uk/olxMg, email [email protected], or call 101, quoting reference 144 of November 15. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crime

Boat removed from Cardigan scene as police probe young woman’s death

Published

8 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A BOAT covered in black plastic sheeting has been removed from the Netpool area of Cardigan as part of a major police investigation into the death of a young woman.

The vessel was taken away at around 11:30pm on Saturday (Nov 15) under police escort and is understood to form a key part of the ongoing forensic inquiry. Officers had cordoned off the slipway near the River Teifi throughout the day, with multiple police vehicles and scenes-of-crime teams attending.

Emergency services were first called to the location around lunchtime on Saturday (Nov 15) following a 999 call, and a large police response was reported soon afterwards.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries. His condition has not been confirmed, and Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet said whether any arrests have been made.

The woman, believed to be in her early twenties, has not yet been formally identified.

Police are expected to remain in the area while specialist officers continue their investigation.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for an official update.

Crime

Police investigate death of young woman in Cardigan

Published

21 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating following the death of a young woman in Cardigan this afternoon (Nov 15).

Officers were called to the Netpool area, near the River Teifi, where the slipway was cordoned off and access restricted while investigations were carried out.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to local sources.

Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet formally identified the woman, who is in he early twenties, or confirmed whether anyone has been arrested.

The Herald has contacted the force for an official statement