The trial against two women accused of stalking Madeleine McCann's family is set to continue today.
We have already heard from DNA experts that samples being taken as part of the hunt for the missing three-year-old were used to rule out Polish-born Julia Wandelt as a match.
Leicester Crown Court previously heard from Madeleine's mum Kate, dad Gerry and younger siblings Sean and Amelie, as well as friends of the family, the local vicar and the detectives leading the missing person inquiry. The court heard of the impact the alleged actions of Wandelt and Karen Spragg have had on the family.
Wandelt, 24, is accused of contacting the family and telling them she thinks she is Madeleine. Along with Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, the court heard they turned up at the family home. The trial continues.
Hearing adjourned
The jury has been dismissed for the day and the hearing will resume tomorrow.
Chat GPT
The court is now hearing from a Chat GPT specialist.
Wandelt not in court
The jury has been told that defendant Julia Wandelt is not in the courtroom today due to illness.
The trial continues in her absence.
'Julia Wandelt cannot be Madeleine McCann'
On Monday, jurors at Leicester Crown Court heard from forensic scientist Rosalind Hammond, who explained how individual DNA results are the same whether obtained from blood, saliva or hair roots.
The court heard forensic scientist Ms Hammond compared the DNA profiles of Madeleine and Wandelt. She told jurors: “The profiles from the two samples are different. Julia Wandelt cannot be Madeleine McCann.”
Ms Hammond also compared the DNA profiles of Wandelt and Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry. She told the court: “The DNA profile of Julia Wandelt shows she is not the biological child of Kate and Gerry McCann and neither is she the biological child of either one.”
Who is on trial?
Julia Wandelt is 24 and from Poland. She is accused of stalking Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry McCann and is alleged to have attended the family home in Leicestershire.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann, and sending Maddie's siblings Amelie and Sean McCann messages.
Her co-accused is Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff. She is charged with one count of stalking. The offences are alleged to have taken place between June 2022 and February 2025.