A Polish woman who falsely claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been found guilty of harassing the missing girl's family. Julia Wandelt, 24, from Lubin, Poland, faced trial at Leicester Crown Court for a campaign of harassment against Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February 2023.
The court heard that Wandelt made numerous calls, sent messages, and even turned up at the McCanns' home. On one day in April last year, she contacted Madeleine's mother more than 60 times. In December, she confronted the couple on their driveway, begging for a DNA test. Wandelt also sent a letter addressing Kate McCann as 'mum'.
Jurors were told that Wandelt claimed to have memories induced by hypnosis of being abducted and living with the McCanns. She insisted she was Madeleine, who disappeared in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. A forensic expert confirmed that DNA tests proved she was not Madeleine. Wandelt said she was '50/50' about being Madeleine but later stated, 'I do believe I'm her.'
Wandelt was sentenced to six months in prison, which she has already served. A deportation order has been issued, and it is now for the Home Secretary to decide whether she remains in custody. A restraining order was also imposed due to the 'significant risk' of future harassment.
The McCanns, who gave evidence from behind a curtain, said they took no pleasure from the verdict. In a statement, they said: 'We only wanted the harassment to stop. We hope Ms Wandelt will receive the appropriate care and support she needs.' Her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, was found not guilty of stalking or harassment.
