A Polish girl 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’ dwelling, 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 dwelling within the U.Ok. She was charged with stalking 4 members of the McCann household — dad and mom 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 dwelling twice, in Might and December of final 12 months.
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 mentioned 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 reports.
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Cutts mentioned she accepted proof of Wandel being abused as a toddler, including that she did “not have a simple childhood.”
“However that doesn’t justify the way in which you behaved,” she mentioned. “It has been confirmed on this case you aren’t Madeleine McCann. There was not correct or logical foundation for this.”
Cutts mentioned what Wandel “shouldn’t have finished is behave as you probably did to the McCanns.”
“They too had been entitled to go away issues with the police and refuse to interact with you notably within the unhappy circumstances they dwell. They’ve suffered with the disappearance of their younger little one for a few years,” the choose mentioned. “Your fixed pestering, badgering and finally attendance at their dwelling deal with on a darkish night in December was unwarranted.”
Cutts advised Wandel she “prompted misery to each the McCanns, notably Kate,” referring to Madeleine McCann’s mom.
The choose granted a restraining order in opposition to Wandel in relation to the McCanns, including that she posed a “vital danger” 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 girl who turned a supporter of Wandel after listening to her story, was discovered not responsible of stalking or harassment.
Cutts mentioned 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 in opposition to 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 fingers of the immigration authorities, who will resolve on a attainable deportation, in keeping with the BBC.
Polish police had beforehand disputed Wandel’s claims that she was McCann after she reached viral fame and Wandel’s personal dad and mom 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 Might 3, 2007. She has not been seen since.
In Might, McCann’s dad and mom marked the 18th anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance, saying that their “dedication to go away no stone unturned is unwavering.”
“We’ll do our utmost to attain this,” they mentioned.
— With information from International Information
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