Here is what we heard in court yesterday:

• Jurors heard Miss Wandelt (pictured below) received personal photographs of the McCanns on holiday from a woman whom she saw is friends on Facebook with Russell O'Brien, who was with the McCanns in Portugal when Madeleine disappeared in 2007
• Miss Wandelt was asked by her barrister - Tom Price KC - why she contacted Madeleine McCann's sister Amelie. Miss Wandelt said: "I think I just tried everything I could after being pushed away by charities and institutions. I think I was desperate. No-one wanted to help me."
• The jury heard Fia Johansson, an American woman, contacted Julia Wandelt in February 2023 after Miss Wandelt went public with her story that she believed she was missing Madeleine Ms Johansson told Miss Wandelt she was "in danger" in Poland
• The court heard Miss Wandelt contacted Kate McCann - mother of missing Madeleine McCann - for a "couple of reasons"
• The defendant discussed her appearance on the Dr Phil talk show in March 2023, which was organised by Fia Johansson
• Miss Wandelt said she told Kate McCann that police officers involved in the search for missing Madeleine did not want to take any statements from her, because she feared it meant they were not taking possible leads seriously
• Jurors heard Miss Wandlet talk about her friendship with co-defendant Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff. Mr Price KC asked her what the nature of the contact was at first, to which Miss Wandelt said: "She was a supporter of mine and I always engaged with supporters."

• The court heard she travelled to the UK for a vigil for Madeleine in her home village in Leicestershire, and spoke to the parish priest
• In December 2024, the court heard Miss Wandelt returned to the UK with a DNA report from Dr Monte Miller, a US DNA expert. Miss Wandelt said she and co-defendant Karen Spragg went to the address of the McCanns with screenshots of the response from Dr Miller and screenshots of the DNA profiles
• The court heard Julia Wandelt, in a voicemail to Kate McCann, said: "I just want to tell you what I remember, you can decide if you want to do a DNA test."
• Miss Wandelt told jurors she did not intend to cause any upset to Kate McCann, and thought she could provide assistance to her

• The court heard Miss Wandelt recall the moment she met Kate McCann. Miss Wandelt said she asked for "two minutes" from Mrs McCann, but she said "no" and told Miss Wandelt she would call the police
• The court heard Miss Wandelt sent a letter to Kate McCann after the face-to-face encounter on 7 December 2024, which started with "dear mum", and ended with "lots of love, Madeleine". When asked by Mr Price KC why she phrased it like that, Miss Wandelt said: "The reality is I believed that she is my mother."

Image source, Julia Wandelt

Good morning from Leicester Crown Court.

We are continuing to report from the trial of Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg, who are both accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing Madeleine McCann.

Miss Wandelt, 24, is back on the stand.

The jury has been sent home for the day, and proceedings at Leicester Crown Court have therefore come to an end.

We will resume our updates tomorrow.

Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau Court Road, Cardiff, faces the same charge as Julia Wandelt.

Leicester Crown Court has heard the pair met online, and that Mrs Spragg helped co-ordinate a number of Miss Wandelt's approaches.

Prosecution lawyer Michael Duck KC said Mrs Spragg became a "forthright" supporter of Miss Wandelt's and the "conspiracy theory" that Madeleine's parents were involved in her disappearance.

The pair discussed "pretty extraordinary" plans, Mr Duck KC said, including going through bins from the McCanns' address to find a DNA sample.

This, jurors heard, culminated in the face-to-face encounter on 7 December 2024, when the pair turned up outside the McCann family home.

The prosecution said Kate McCann arrived home first and "was accosted" by Miss Wandelt, who tried to stop her entering her property, while Mrs McCann said Mrs Spragg had been "aggressive".

Inside, Mrs McCann called her husband while the defendants "continued to bang on the front door".

Image source, PA Media

We have had a temporary break in proceedings at Leicester Crown Court. We are expected to get under way again soon.

The court heard Miss Wandelt sent a letter to Kate McCann after the face-to-face encounter on 7 December 2024, which started with "dear mum", and ended with "lots of love, Madeleine".

When asked by Mr Price KC why she phrased it like that, Miss Wandelt said: "The reality is I believed that she is my mother."

A letter, read to the court by Mr Price KC, said: "All I want is to find out the truth. I have memories and I have gathered a lot of evidence supporting my case.

"I don't understand why you don't want to do a DNA test with me. I think you are scared, but whatever makes you scared, just remember that you are stronger than that. Yesterday, I heard a lot of care and love in your voice. I believe and I hope you will find a way to contact me."

Proceedings at Leicester Crown Court are getting under way again.

Julia Wandelt has taken her place, with her barrister Tom Price KC set to continue asking questions.

Dan Hunt
Reporting from Leicester Crown Court

Here is a recap of what we heard at Leicester Crown Court this morning:

• Miss Wandelt was asked by her barrister, Tom Price KC, why she contacted Madeleine McCann's sister Amelie. Miss Wandelt said: "I think I just tried everything I could after being pushed away by charities and institutions. I think I was desperate. No-one wanted to help me."
• The court heard Miss Wandelt received personal photographs of the McCanns on holiday from a woman whom she saw is friends on Facebook with Russell O'Brien, who was with the McCanns in Portugal when Madeleine disappeared in 2007
• Jurors heard Fia Johansson, an American woman, contacted Julia Wandelt in February 2023 after Miss Wandelt went public with her story that she believed she was missing Madeleine Ms Johansson told Miss Wandelt she was "in danger" in Poland
• The court heard Miss Wandelt contacted Kate McCann - mother of missing Madeleine McCann - for a "couple of reasons"
• The defendant discussed her appearance on the Dr Phil talk show in March 2023, which was organised by Fia Johansson

• The court heard she travelled to the UK for a vigil for Madeleine in her home village in Leicestershire, and spoke to the parish priest
• In December 2024, the court heard Miss Wandelt returned to the UK with a DNA report from Dr Monte Miller, a US DNA expert. Miss Wandelt said she and co-defendant Karen Spragg went to the address of the McCanns with screenshots of the response from Dr Miller and screenshots of the DNA profiles
• Miss Wandelt told jurors she did not intend to cause any upset to Kate McCann, and thought she could provide assistance to her

• The jury heard Miss Wandelt recall the moment she met Kate McCann. Miss Wandelt said she asked for "two minutes" from Mrs McCann, but she said "no" and told Miss Wandelt she would call the police

The jury heard Gerry McCann then arrived home, and Miss Wandelt attempted to pass him the DNA report.

She said his response to her was to "call the Metropolitan Police", before going inside the house.

Miss Wandelt added: "I became more upset. Karen tried to calm me down again. I started panicking."

The court heard the pair left shortly after.

Addressing events on 7 December 2024, the court heard Miss Wandelt and Mrs Spragg parked where the McCanns lived and saw Kate McCann arriving.

Miss Wandelt said: "I saw the same car I saw at the vigil."

Mr Price KC said video showed Miss Wandelt walking to the McCanns' address with documents in one hand, and Mrs McCann was present.

Mr Price KC said: "What did you say?"

In response, Miss Wandelt said "Kate", to which Mr Price KC asked if she responded.

Miss Wandelt said: "She turned around and started crying. I started crying. I did not know what to say."

The court heard about a metre away from Mrs McCann, Mrs Spragg was walking behind her.

Mr Price KC asked what Mrs Spragg was saying, to which Miss Wandelt told the court, she said "do you want to find your daughter?"

"[Kate] started crying straight away. I had planned to start saying things but it was like my voice left me at that moment," she added.

Miss Wandelt added she then asked for "two minutes" from Mrs McCann, but she said "no" and told Miss Wandelt she would call the police.

Jurors heard Miss Wandelt said: "I maybe said if you want to call the police, call them."

In response to what Mrs Spragg said, Mrs McCann said: “I do [want to find my daughter], but I don't need this."

Mrs Spragg said "she is your daughter", to which Mrs McCann said: "She's not my daughter."

Jurors heard Miss Wandelt said she tried unsuccessfully to give Mrs McCann her documents.

"Kate then said you are causing us distress," Miss Wandelt said.

She added she did not attempt to touch Mrs McCann "at all" and told the court: "A lot of people told me to take her hair, but I would never do this."

Jo Black
BBC News

The defendant has left the witness box as court breaks for lunch.

She smiles at someone in the public gallery before she heads off.

The court heard Miss Wandelt returned to the UK in December 2024, with Dr Miller's report.

Richard Price KC asked whether she spoke to co-defendant Karen Spragg about going, to which Miss Wandelt said "Yes."

The court heard she stayed with Mrs Spragg in Cardiff - who picked her up from the airport.

Miss Wandelt said the pair went to the address of the McCanns with screenshots of the response from Dr Miller and screenshots of the DNA profiles.

The court is now hearing that Miss Wandelt returned to her native Poland and later in 2024, she said she wanted to return to the UK as she had a DNA report from a DNA expert from the US called Dr Monte Miller.

She told the court she did not have the finances to pay for a private test, so sent out emails hoping someone would reply to her.

Miss Wandelt said there was a free consultation, but asked for pro-bono help. She added Dr Miller said he could do a further report but it would cost money.

The court heard Dr Miller sent a report which Miss Wandelt said: "From my understanding, he said the DNA matches very well", and showed "a close relationship".

Miss Wandelt, the court heard, sent a new letter to Mr and Mrs McCann saying DNA results from the US said she was related to them.

She said the report made her believe there was some familial connection with the McCanns and made her want to do an official DNA test.

The court has previously heard from Det Ch Insp Mark Cramwell, of Operation Grange - the name of the Metropolitan Police's investigation into Madeleine's disappearance - who said DNA samples of Miss Wandelt were taken on her arrest.

"It conclusively proved that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann," he said.

Mr Price KC asked Miss Wandelt about the conversation she had with the parish priest, Rev Robert Gladstone, who has already given evidence to the trial.

Miss Wandelt said she might have said hello before, but mainly spoke after and mentioned about passing her letter on.

"He took my letter but then came back and said Kate's aunt and uncle were in church", who Miss Wandelt said she was told she could speak to.

In his evidence, Rev Gladstone said he "pretty instantly" dismissed Miss Wandelt's claim and did not plan to take her to any family.

Miss Wandelt added she spoke to Mrs McCann's aunt, Janet Kennedy, and asked if she could pass the letter to Kate.

"She said she wouldn't," Miss Wandelt said.

Miss Wandelt said she was "polite and respectful", and left the church after her conversation with Mrs Kennedy.

The court heard she left the letter on the McCanns' doorstep.

Mrs Kennedy previously said she kept hold of a letter for months, before tearing it up after finding out about a visit the defendants paid to the McCann family home on 7 December 2024.

Leicester Crown Court has heard evidence that Julia Wandelt turned up at an annual vigil in Madeleine's home village of Rothley, Leicestershire, on 3 May 2024.

Vigil organiser Janet Kennedy said Miss Wandelt tried to hand her an envelope, which she took but added the approach left her "stunned".

Miss Wandelt told the court she travelled to the UK for the vigil, and to make physical contact with the police, which she believed would be "more effective".

The court heard she stayed with a man called Robert, and he drove Miss Wandelt to the vigil.

She said: "I had a letter for Kate. I was surprised when the priest said the McCanns would not be there."

Miss Wandelt added about 20 minutes before the gathering, she saw Kate McCann and Gerry McCann driving along the street next to the church - where the vigil took place.

She said she saw them despite the pair previously telling the trial they were on holiday at the time.

Julia Wandelt said she told Kate McCann that police officers involved in the search for missing Madeleine did not want to take any statements from her, because she feared it meant they were not taking possible leads seriously.

In a message, The 24-year-old Polish national told Mrs McCann police had refused to take her statement in 2022 and again in 2024.

Asked why she told Mrs McCann that, Miss Wandelt said she felt the media portrayal of her as "crazy" meant police were not taking her seriously.

She said: "I think they shouldn't use this excuse not to look further into my story. I want to know who I am, I want to know who my parents are.

"It's possible that's how they dealt with every possible lead. If they ignored me, we can assume they ignored other people as well."

Miss Wandelt told Leicester Crown Court she "couldn't believe" Kate McCann did not want to find out whether she was Madeleine.

"I'm not in her mind, I don't know why she ignored me, but I don't believe she did this because she didn't want to talk," Miss Wandelt said.

Miss Wandelt told the court she did not think her behaviour was harassment.

The court heard she sent a message to Mrs McCann, which said: "If I ever again call the police I will be arrested for harassment.

"I know you can report me for harassment."

When asked what she would do if Mrs McCann had responded and asked her to stop contacting her, Miss Wandelt said: "If she had called me and after listening to my evidence and giving me a chance to explain myself, and didn't want a DNA test for whatever reason, I think I would've accepted it."

"I guess I would respect her decision," she added.

Madeleine McCann was a three-year-old girl on a family holiday in Portugal when she disappeared on 3 May 2007.

She vanished from an apartment complex in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, sparking a Europe-wide investigation that has become one of the highest-profile missing person cases.

Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, had been dining with friends at a restaurant a short walk away, while their daughter and her younger siblings were asleep in a ground-floor apartment.

They had checked in on the children periodically until her mother discovered she was missing at about 22:00 local time.

The case remains unsolved.

Julia Wandelt, the court heard said in another message that it was "more important" to find Madeleine than any "potential disappointment".

Mr Price KC said there was a "flurry of activity" on 20 April, and when asked if there were reasons for that, Miss Wandelt said she left voicemails when she had "more flashbacks".

Miss Wandelt said: "I explained my evidence, why I thought I could be Madeleine."

The court heard one message from Miss Wandelt, describing a memory she had from just before Madeleine McCann disappeared.

Mr Price KC said: "You seem to be setting out a memory of the abduction of Madeleine that took place in Portugal."

Miss Wandelt said that was a memory that came to her in pieces, but she did not intend to cause any distress to Kate McCann when she sent it.

Miss Wandelt’s messages said she “really believed” she was Madeleine, the court heard.

One message from her to Mrs McCann said: "Please don't think Madeleine is dead. This is a chance. It will cost you nothing to talk to me."

Miss Wandelt said at this point, she thought she would be able to assist Mr and Mrs McCann.