UK Court Convicts Woman Claiming to Be Madeleine McCann of Harassing Missing Girl’s Parents

A UK jury convicted 24-year-old Julia Wandelt of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann after a month-long trial at Leicester Crown Court.

“Topic:Courts Julia Wandelt, who claimed to be Madeleine McCann, has also previously claimed to be two other missing girls”

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

She was acquitted of stalking.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Wandelt was sentenced to six months in custody, which effectively amounted to time already served.

She was also placed under a restraining order and issued a deportation order.

Media coverage varies in emphasis, with some outlets focusing on formal outcomes and dates, while others highlight the court’s condemnation and risk assessment.

Reports note that jurors deliberated for more than seven hours before reaching their verdicts.

The court described aspects of her conduct as "unwarranted and unkind."

Outlets describe a pattern of harassment that included repeatedly contacting the McCanns and their circle.

The harassment involved sending letters addressing Kate McCann as “mum.”

BBC

The harasser also turned up at their home and demanded DNA tests.

Several reports add distinctive details about the individual named Wandelt.

Some say Wandelt claimed under hypnosis to recall being abducted and living with the McCanns as a child.

Others say she messaged Madeleine’s siblings via social media and possessed private family photos not publicly released.

At one point, Wandelt sent over 60 calls and messages in a single day.

Evidence presented in court refuted Wandelt’s identity claims.

“A woman who falsely claimed to beMadeleine McCannhas been found guilty of harassing the missing girl's parents, but cleared of stalking them”

Birmingham Live

A forensic expert confirmed her DNA does not match Madeleine’s.

Multiple outlets report she later appeared exhausted and only “50/50” about her belief.

They cited memory gaps and a similar eye mark as reasons she pursued the claim.

Prosecutors proceeded based on police evidence.

Another outlet adds that the court ordered her cell phones destroyed, a procedural detail not widely echoed elsewhere.

Broad context pieces note a separate suspect in the long-running case.

This underscores that Madeleine’s disappearance remains unsolved.

The McCanns and their children testified about the impact of the harassment they experienced.

They described feeling stressed, on edge, and emotionally drained.

crimeonline

They said the harassment hindered the ongoing Operation Grange investigation.

Some reports mention that the parents gave evidence from behind a curtain.

Other sources note that the family still holds hope that Madeleine may be alive.

A mainstream report includes the family’s view that the stalking did not significantly affect their lives.

This perspective contrasts with multiple local and tabloid pieces that highlight the distress caused.

Sentencing coverage also diverges on co-defendant Karen Spragg.

“ByCLAIRE DUFFIN, SENIOR REPORTER Published:11:45 GMT, 7 November 2025|Updated:14:53 GMT, 7 November 2025 305 Viewcomments A Polish woman who claimed to beMadeleine McCannwas today found guilty of harassing the missing girl's parents”

Daily Mail

Several outlets say Spragg was acquitted but still given a restraining order, with some specifying five years.

Daily Mail

Others simply note she was found not guilty.

Reports further differ on the emphasis of time served and deportation.

Some detail that six months was the maximum for harassment and had already been exceeded in custody.

Others focus on the deportation order and media restrictions.