Gerry McCann stood firm in Westminster Magistrates' Court this week, confronting the Italian man who subjected his family to a relentless three-year stalking campaign that left them feeling "hunted" and "terrorised."
Years of Unwanted Attention
In emotional testimony, Mr McCann described how 52-year-old Alessandro Palombi's obsession began in 2021 and escalated into a disturbing pattern of unwanted approaches, social media contact, and attempts to insert himself into the McCanns' personal life.
"He made us feel like we were being hunted," the cardiologist told the court, his voice steady but filled with the weight of years of unwanted attention. "We were constantly looking over our shoulders."
The Final Confrontation
The situation reached its breaking point during a public event at the University of Cardiff in March this year. Palombi, who had travelled from Italy specifically to approach the McCanns, managed to get within inches of Gerry before security intervened.
"He came right up to me, stood in front of me, and said he wanted to talk to me about Madeleine," Mr McCann recalled. "I told him to go away immediately."
A Pattern of Behaviour
The court heard how Palombi's fixation included:
- Multiple approaches at public events
- Unsolicited social media contact
- Attempts to engage family friends
- Travel specifically to encounter the McCanns
Prosecutor Luke Staton revealed that Palombi had even managed to obtain Mr McCann's personal mobile number, leaving the family feeling their privacy had been completely violated.
The Defence's Claims
Palombi's defence team argued their client was merely a "conspiracy theorist" fascinated by Madeleine's disappearance, claiming he wanted to "help" the investigation. They suggested his actions stemmed from "obsession rather than malice."
However, District Judge Neeta Minhas saw through this justification, stating that Palombi clearly understood the distress he was causing but "simply did not care."
Justice Served
In a decisive ruling, Palombi was found guilty of stalking and handed a 28-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. The court also imposed a five-year restraining order, banning any contact with the McCann family and prohibiting attendance at any events where they might be present.
As Gerry McCann left the courtroom, there was a sense of relief that after three years of looking over their shoulders, he and Kate could finally feel some measure of safety and peace.
