New update following arrest of Polish woman claiming she is Madeleine McCann

There have been a series of developments in the suspected stalking case involving the family of Madeleine McCann.

Julia Wandel, 23, appeared in court via video link today (28 March) following her arrest at Bristol Airport more than a month ago. She has been accused of stalking Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, as well as their twins, Sean and Amelie, over the last year.

It comes 22 years after the three-year-old disappeared from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, with the little girl having remained a missing person ever since.

Wandel - who previously claimed she could be the missing youngster and even took a DNA test on Dr Phil - is alleged to have visited the McCann family home on two occasions in 2024.

She is also alleged to have attended the property in Leicestershire on 2 May and 7 December, while she also allegedly sent a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry.

Julia Wandel, 23, was denied bail (Go Get Funding)

The 23-year-old Polish national is also alleged to have contacted the McCann children on Instagram between 3 January and 29 December last year.

In wake of her arrest in February this year, Leicestershire Police announced she had been charged with four counts of stalking.

A spokesperson said at the time: "Two counts relate to offences between 2 May 2024 and 15 February 2025, a third count relates to offences between 3 January 2024 and 21 April 2024, and the fourth count for offences between 27 November 2024 and 29 December 2024. She has been remanded in custody."

Today, a Crown Court judge refused Wandel's bail after her lawyer made an unsuccessful 15-minute application on her behalf.

Judge Timothy Spencer KC ruled that no details from the bail application can be reported ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing listed to take place at the same court on 22 April.

Wandel, from Lubin in south-west Poland, did not attend the hearing in person, but is understood to have followed the proceedings via a prison video-link.

Wandel is accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann (Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

A 60-year-old woman who was arrested alongside her at Bristol Airport last month has now also been charged as part of the stalking investigation.

Karen Spragg, of Caerau, Cardiff, has been charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress between 3 May 2024 and 21 February this year, Leicestershire Police said.

She is set to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court today.

Wandel previously issued an apology to the McCann's in 2023 after a DNA test proved she was not the missing Brit.

Speaking to the BBC in January last year, the Polish woman said she 'never meant to hurt anyone' and claimed she had just 'wanted to know the truth' about who she was.