Woman who falsely claimed to be Madeleine McCann convicted of harassment
A 24-year-old Polish woman, Julia Wandelt, has been found guilty of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing Madeleine McCann. The verdict was delivered at Leicester Crown Court, where Wandelt was cleared of the more serious charge of stalking.
Throughout the trial, Wandelt maintained her belief that she was the missing girl, telling the court, "I do believe I am her." The jury heard how she engaged in a persistent campaign of harassment, which included sending emails, leaving voicemails, and even appearing at the McCanns' home in Rothley, Leicestershire.
The court case and evidence
The court was told that Wandelt sent what were described as "disturbing messages" to friends of the McCann family, pleading with them to help her make contact. Her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, was acquitted of both harassment and stalking charges. The pair were seen holding hands in the dock as the verdicts were read out after the jury deliberated for more than seven hours.
A particularly concerning piece of evidence revealed that Wandelt was in possession of private family photographs belonging to the McCanns and their friends, the Paynes. David Payne, who was with the McCanns in Portugal when Madeleine disappeared, expressed his surprise and concern about this in court.
In a message to the Payne family, Wandelt assured them she would not publish the images, stating they were given to her by "someone close" to the McCanns who believed her story.
Emotional testimony and sentencing
Wandelt gave an emotional account of her encounter with Kate McCann, describing how both women began crying when they met. She recounted that her plan to speak was cut short when Mrs McCann refused and threatened to call the police.
During cross-examination, the prosecutor highlighted the lack of any scientific evidence, including a DNA mismatch, to support Wandelt's claims. An emotionally exhausted Wandelt responded, "I want to know who I am. If I'm not, I'm not. It's fine. I'm exhausted."
Following the verdict, trial judge Mrs Justice Cutts noted that the maximum sentence for harassment is six months in prison. She also pointed out that Wandelt has already been in custody since her arrest in February of this year, meaning she has served longer than the maximum possible sentence for the crime.
