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Madeleine McCann brother and sister, Sean and Amelie, have told the court that their interactions with an accused harasser were deeply disturbing and creepy. They explained feeling anxious and scared by a woman who claimed she was their long-lost sister.

Relentless Contact Described as Scary

Testifying via video link, she stated how the accused, Julia Wandelt, reached out to her repeatedly through online platforms and letters. Amelie explained the persistence was quite scary because you don’t know what she’ll do next.

Communications from the defendant were read in court, in which she described memories of living in the McCann household that she said were recalled during hypnotherapy. Amelie told the court, It’s quite disturbing that she’s coming up with these alleged memories, even though she’s not Maddie.

Fabricated Images Heightened Unease

Jurors heard that Wandelt had created images of herself and Amelie as young girls, which the prosecution alleged were generated with AI tools. Some of these images were sent through online channels, while additional ones were printed and included in a letter to her.

She stated, I didn’t like it, it caused me to feel very uneasy. She had clearly altered the pictures to make me appear similar to her, which was very distressing. I was aware I didn't resemble that, I knew it had been manipulated.

Emotional Toll on the Household

Amelie also discussed the impact of the supposed stalking on her mother, Kate, who gave evidence about being confronted at her residence by the defendant and her co-defendant, Karen Spragg.

In my opinion my mum experienced it as the hardest. My mother was harassed by Julia more than the others in the family and I believe it certainly took its toll on her and her wellbeing, she testified. It’s upsetting when someone’s begging you to accept their claims and playing with your emotions, to the extent you are questioning yourself.

Sibling's Statement on Anxiety and Digital Attention

In a testimony presented to the trial, Sean McCann stated that for him, he had not been too badly affected by Wandelt's accused harassment. However he had been distressed that she was attracting online attention, with people posting hurtful and unjust things about his mother and father.

In the event that Wandelt was not suffering from a psychological condition and was completely conscious she is not Maddie, yet makes these claims, that will be very upsetting for me, he testified. I do not believe she is my sibling. The reality that Julia is engaging in this behavior has resulted in a great deal of anxiety and I find it deeply disturbing.

The defendant and Spragg deny harassing the McCann household. The trial continue.