A DNA test has conclusively proved that an alleged stalker is not missing Madeleine McCann, a court has heard. Julia Wandelt, 24, is accused of harassing the McCann family, bombarding them with hundreds of calls and messages, and turning up at their home demanding a DNA test.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, the senior investigating officer on Operation Grange, told Leicester Crown Court that he went against procedure to test Wandelt in the hope she would stop her behaviour. He said 13 people had previously claimed to be Madeleine, but police avoided DNA tests to prevent a precedent.
Cranwell said police had already judged Wandelt not to be Madeleine due to age and appearance differences. However, after learning of her planned arrest on stalking charges, he decided to take DNA upon arrest. The comparison conclusively proved she is not Madeleine McCann.
The court heard that in April, Cranwell visited Wandelt in custody and told her: 'You are not Madeleine McCann.' Despite the scientific proof, he believed she would suggest the sample had been tampered with. The trial continues, with Wandelt and co-defendant Karen Spragg, 61, both denying one count of stalking.
