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Madeleine McCann twin siblings, Amelie and Sean, have told the court that their encounters with an accused harasser were extremely disturbing and unsettling. The siblings described feeling anxious and scared by a woman who claimed she was their long-lost sister.

Persistent Communication Described as Scary

Testifying via video link, she stated how the defendant, the 24-year-old, contacted her repeatedly through online platforms and written correspondence. She said the persistence was very scary because it's impossible to predict what she’ll do next.

Messages from Wandelt were presented in court, in which she recounted recollections of being in the family home that she said were recalled during hypnotherapy. She testified, It's very upsetting that she’s coming up with these alleged recollections, despite the fact she isn't Maddie.

Altered Images Increased Unease

Jurors heard that Wandelt had created pictures of herself and Amelie as children, which the state alleged were generated with AI tools. A number of these images were sent through online channels, while others were printed and included in a letter to Amelie.

Amelie said, It was unpleasant, it caused me to feel very uncomfortable. It was evident she edited the pictures to make me look more like her, which was quite distressing. I was aware I didn't resemble that, I understood it had been changed.

Psychological Impact on the Household

Amelie also spoke about the effect of the supposed stalking on her mother, their mother, who testified about being confronted at her residence by the defendant and her alleged accomplice, a 61-year-old woman.

In my opinion my mother found it the hardest. My mother was targeted by the defendant to a greater extent than the rest of us and I think it definitely took its toll on her and her wellbeing, Amelie testified. It’s upsetting when someone’s pleading with you to believe them and playing with your emotions, to the extent you are doubting your own judgment.

Sibling's Statement on Stress and Online Attention

In a testimony read to the court, her brother stated that personally, he had not been too badly affected by the defendant's alleged stalking. However he had been upset that she was attracting online attention, with people saying hurtful and unjust things about his parents.

If Wandelt was not suffering from a psychological condition and was fully aware she is not Maddie, yet continues to assert she is, that would be very upsetting for me, he said. I am convinced she is my sibling. The fact that the defendant is doing this has caused me a great deal of stress and I find it profoundly disturbing.

The defendant and her co-defendant deny stalking the McCann household. Proceedings continue.