In the ongoing trial involving two women accused of harassing the family of missing Madeleine McCann, the court today heard testimony from a couple who are close friends of the family. David and Fiona Payne, who were with Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, having dinner on the night the child disappeared, shared their accounts at Leicester Crown Court.
During their holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007, the Paynes provided evidence against Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg. Wandelt, a Polish national, allegedly made several phone calls to Mr. Payne, claiming to be Madeleine and seeking contact with Kate and Gerry. Mr. Payne described the calls as distressing, emphasizing the potential impact on the McCanns.
Fiona Payne, who has known the McCanns for approximately 25 years, testified about Wandelt’s assertions and the emotional toll they took on Kate. She mentioned receiving messages from Wandelt, including requests for DNA comparisons and claims of being the missing child. The court also heard about Wandelt’s alleged visits to the McCann family home and various forms of communication directed at them.
Karen Spragg, facing a separate stalking charge, is accused of similar behavior towards the McCann family between June 2022 and February 2025. The court proceedings shed light on the distress caused by these alleged actions and the intricate web of interactions involving the accused individuals and the McCanns.
