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Madeleine McCann's brother and sister, Sean and Amelie, have testified in court that their interactions with an accused harasser were deeply upsetting and creepy. The siblings explained feeling stressed and frightened by a woman who insisted she was their long-lost sister.

Relentless Communication Detailed as Frightening

Appearing via video link, she stated how the defendant, the 24-year-old, contacted her multiple times through online platforms and letters. She said the relentlessness was very frightening since it's impossible to predict what she’ll do next.

Communications from Wandelt were read in the trial, in which she recounted memories of being in the McCann household that she said were recovered during hypnotherapy. Amelie testified, It's very disturbing that she's inventing these alleged memories, despite the fact she isn't Madeleine.

Fabricated Images Heightened Unease

Jurors heard that Wandelt had produced images of Amelie and herself as young girls, which the state said were generated with AI tools. A number of these photos were sent through online channels, while others were printed and included in a mail to her.

She stated, I didn’t like it, it made me feel very uncomfortable. It was evident she edited the pictures to make me appear similar to her, which was quite distressing. I knew I didn't resemble that, I understood it had been changed.

Psychological Impact on the Family

Amelie also discussed the impact of the supposed stalking on her parent, Kate, who gave evidence about being approached at home by the defendant and her co-defendant, Karen Spragg.

In my opinion my mother found it the most difficult. She was targeted by the defendant more than the rest of us and I believe it certainly took its toll on her and her mental health, she said. It's distressing when someone’s pleading with you to accept their claims and manipulating your emotions, to the extent you are questioning yourself.

Brother's Testimony on Anxiety and Digital Attention

In a testimony presented to the trial, her brother said that personally, he had not been too badly affected by Wandelt's alleged stalking. However he had been upset that she was attracting online attention, with people posting hurtful and unjust comments about his mother and father.

In the event that Wandelt was not suffering from a psychological condition and was completely conscious she is not Madeleine, yet continues to assert she is, that will be very upsetting for me, he testified. I do not believe she is my sister. The fact that the defendant is engaging in this behavior has caused me a significant amount of stress and I consider it profoundly disturbing.

Wandelt and Spragg deny harassing the McCann household. Proceedings are ongoing.