A Polish lady who claimed to be Madeleine McCann, a British woman who disappeared in 2007 whereas on a household trip in Portugal, has been discovered responsible of harassing the household of the lacking woman.
Julia Wandel, often known as Julia Wandelt, first claimed to be McCann in 2023 when she posted quite a few items of “proof” to social media, most of which had been side-by-side comparisons of comparable bodily traits between her and McCann.
Wandel flew from Poland to England and drove to the McCanns’ residence, the place she demanded they undergo a DNA check in December 2024.
In February, Wandel was arrested and accused of stalking McCann’s household by contacting them incessantly and turning up at their residence within the U.Ok. She was charged with stalking 4 members of the McCann household — mother and father Gerry and Kate, and twin siblings Sean and Amelie — all through 2024 and into 2025. She was additionally alleged to have paid undesirable and unsolicited visits to their residence twice, in Could and December of final yr.
On Friday, a jury in Leicester Crown Courtroom in England unanimously determined Wandel was not responsible of stalking, however was responsible of harassment. She was sentenced to 6 months in jail by Justice Johannah Cutts, who stated Wandel had already been in police custody for longer than that after her arrest in February.
The choose addressed Wandel as she delivered her sentencing remarks, the BBC experiences.
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Cutts stated she accepted proof of Wandel being abused as a baby, including that she did “not have a simple childhood.”
“However that doesn’t justify the best way you behaved,” she stated. “It has been confirmed on this case you aren’t Madeleine McCann. There was not correct or logical foundation for this.”
Cutts stated what Wandel “shouldn’t have completed is behave as you probably did to the McCanns.”
“They too had been entitled to depart issues with the police and refuse to have interaction with you significantly within the unhappy circumstances they reside. They’ve suffered with the disappearance of their younger youngster for a few years,” the choose stated. “Your fixed pestering, badgering and ultimately attendance at their residence handle on a darkish night in December was unwarranted.”
Cutts advised Wandel she “brought about misery to each the McCanns, significantly Kate,” referring to Madeleine McCann’s mom.
The choose granted a restraining order towards Wandel in relation to the McCanns, including that she posed a “important threat” of harassing the household sooner or later. Wandel can also be banned indefinitely from visiting Leicestershire, the place the McCann household lives.
Wandel’s telephones should even be forfeited and destroyed as a part of her restraining order.
Wandel’s co-defendant, Karen Spragg, a 61-year-old Welsh lady who grew to become a supporter of Wandel after listening to her story, was discovered not responsible of stalking or harassment.
Cutts stated Spragg noticed Wandel “because the sufferer and never the McCanns.”
“She supported her whereas indulging in her conspiracy theories,” the choose added.
Cutts additionally granted a restraining order towards Spragg, which bans her from contacting the McCanns for 5 years.
Wandel was transported to jail in a van after leaving the courthouse, as her case is now within the arms of the immigration authorities, who will determine on a attainable deportation, based on the BBC.
Polish police had beforehand disputed Wandel’s claims that she was McCann after she reached viral fame and Wandel’s personal mother and father spoke out about her marketing campaign, saying they had been “devastated” by her claims and the worldwide media consideration they garnered.
Madeleine McCann, the then-three-year-old British woman, disappeared from her mattress whereas on trip along with her household within the Praia da Luz resort in southern Portugal on Could 3, 2007. She has not been seen since.
In Could, McCann’s mother and father marked the 18th anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance, saying that their “dedication to depart no stone unturned is unwavering.”
“We are going to do our utmost to realize this,” they stated.
— With information from World Information
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