Woman who claimed she was Madeleine McCann guilty of harassing missing girl’s parents
A woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann has been found guilty of harassing the missing girl’s family.
Julia Wandelt, 24, showed up at Kate and Gerry McCann’s home and repeatedly sent ominous letters and messages begging for DNA testing.
The 24-year-old Polish national held his hands to his face as jurors on Friday returned a guilty verdict on the harassment charge against the McCanns, but returned a not guilty verdict on the stalking charge.
A five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court heard Wandelt claimed he had memories, triggered by hypnosis sessions, of being kidnapped and living with the McCanns, including feeding Madeleine’s younger brother Sean and stealing roses.
Jurors heard Wandelt, who had an emotional outburst while giving evidence against Ms McCann, tried to convince “anyone who was prepared to listen” that she was Madeleine, kidnapped from Portugal and abused in Poland with other girls.
Wandelt called and texted Ms McCann more than 60 times in one day on April 13 last year; He claimed that his mother patted his head and told him she would find him before he was kidnapped.
The other defendant, Karen Spragg, was found not guilty of stalking and harassment.
More to follow…
