US EditionWoman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann found guilty of harassing missing toddler's parents
- On Friday, a jury at Leicester Crown Court convicted 24-year-old Julia Wandelt of harassing Kate McCann and Gerry McCann, though she was cleared of stalking them.
- During a five-week trial, evidence showed Wandelt said hypnosis sessions induced memories of abduction and living with the McCanns; she claimed to be a Polish national born three years after Madeleine with mental health problems and past abuse by an elderly relative.
- Her online activity included gaining a large following and calling and messaging Mrs McCann more than 60 times on April 13 last year, ignoring police warnings, and posting claims on TikTok.
- A co-defendant, Karen Spragg, was acquitted after the trial; jurors at Leicester Crown Court heard Wandelt had an emotional outburst while Mrs McCann gave evidence.
- The case ties back to Madeleine's 2007 disappearance in Portugal, with Wandelt claiming a similar iris blemish and resemblance to aged-progressed images that supported her assertions.
83 Articles
83 Articles
Julia Wandelt harassed the missing girl's parents for years, but she has already served her sentence, having been in custody since February.
Jury Convicts Woman Who Said She Was Madeleine McCann
A Polish woman who insisted she was Madeleine McCann has been found guilty of harassing the missing British girl's family. Julia Wandelt, 24, was convicted at Leicester Crown Court for her actions against Kate and Gerry McCann, who have endured global attention since their daughter vanished in Portugal in 2007,...
Julia Wandelt is convinced that she is Madeleine McCann. Now the 24-year-old is being sentenced for harassment of the missing girl's parents. – I am exhausted, s
The "false Maddie" is guilty: for months she contacted the McCanns. A court now pronounced the verdict.
Julia Wandelt had been accused of murder and persecution against Kate and Gerry McCann after claiming to be the missing daughter. She was convicted, but she was already sentenced. Maddie's parents did not make a decision.
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