A chilling stalking case with disturbing echoes of the Madeleine McCann disappearance has unfolded in a German courtroom, revealing a campaign of terror against a British mother.
Wolfgang Prozeller, a 36-year-old convicted sex offender, stands accused of subjecting a British woman to months of psychological torment while repeatedly invoking the name of the missing British girl.
The Disturbing Pattern Emerges
The court heard how Prozeller's harassment began in May 2023 when he first approached his victim, a British mother living in Germany, and made an ominous declaration: "You look just like Madeleine McCann's mother."
What followed was a systematic campaign of fear that included:
- Repeated appearances at the woman's workplace and home
- Threatening messages and notes left on her car
- Direct references to Madeleine McCann's disappearance
- Chilling warnings about what might happen to her own child
A Troubled History Revealed
Prozeller is no stranger to the German justice system, having previously served prison time for sex offences. The court heard how he specifically targeted British women, with prosecutors describing a pattern of behaviour that exploited their vulnerability as foreigners.
"The defendant used the international notoriety of the Madeleine McCann case to amplify the fear experienced by his victim," the prosecutor told the court.
Psychological Impact
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described in her testimony how the stalking campaign left her living in constant fear for both herself and her child.
"Every time I saw him, my blood ran cold," she told the court. "The Madeleine references made it so much worse - he wasn't just threatening me, he was reminding me of every parent's worst nightmare."
Legal Proceedings Continue
The trial comes as German authorities remain actively involved in the ongoing Madeleine McCann investigation. Christian Brückner, another German national, has been identified as the prime suspect in her disappearance.
Legal experts suggest that Prozeller's case demonstrates how high-profile missing persons cases can sometimes inspire copycat behaviour or be weaponised by offenders seeking to maximise psychological impact.
The trial continues with sentencing expected later this month. If convicted, Prozeller faces significant prison time given his status as a repeat offender and the psychological severity of his crimes.
