Alleged stalker ‘sent disturbing messages to close friends of the McCanns’ View Image

An alleged stalker sent disturbing and upsetting messages to a family who were in Portugal with the McCanns when Madeleine went missing, a trial has heard.

Jurors were told that Julia Wandelt, 24, also contacted the daughter of David and Fiona Payne, who has been “adversely impacted” by the girl’s disappearance.

In one message, Wandelt, from Lubin in south-west Poland, suggested that if she did a DNA test with the McCanns, members of the “tapas group” could “clear your names”, the court heard.

Mr and Mrs Payne, who have been “very close friends” to the McCanns for around 25 years, gave evidence on Wednesday at Leicester Crown Court and said Wandelt called them and sent them both messages last ye

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