Madeleine McCann Imposter’s Despicable Campaign of Harassment EXPOSED: Julia Wandelt’s Shocking Three-Year Crusade to Convince the World She Was the Missing Tot
- Julia Wandelt, 24, found guilty of harassing Madeleine McCann’s parents after a relentless three-year campaign
- The Polish national claimed she was the missing three-year-old, despite having no memories of her childhood
- Wandelt and her supporter, Karen Spragg, confronted Kate McCann on her doorstep, sparking a dramatic and disturbing encounter
- Wandelt sentenced to six months in prison, which she has already served, and banned from contacting the McCanns
In a shocking turn of events, a Polish woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been found guilty of harassing the missing girl’s parents. Julia Wandelt, 24, was convicted after a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court, which exposed her despicable campaign of harassment against Kate and Gerry McCann.
Wandelt’s three-year crusade began on social media, where she claimed she was Madeleine, who went missing as a three-year-old while on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007. Despite having little to no memories of her childhood, Wandelt became convinced she was the missing tot and began bombarding the McCann family with calls, emails, and messages.
But Wandelt’s actions took a disturbing turn when she and her supporter, Karen Spragg, travelled to the British village where the McCanns live to confront them. Security video played to the court captured Wandelt walking the streets near the McCann’s property moments before she confronted Kate McCann on her doorstep.
“But I’m not lying,” Wandelt can be heard saying in the dramatic footage. “She is your daughter,” Spragg chimed in, before Kate McCann firmly responded, “You’re not my daughter.” The encounter ended with Wandelt and Spragg being charged with stalking, although they were later cleared of the charges.
During her sentencing remarks, Justice Cutts said Wandelt’s family history did not justify her behaviour. “It has been confirmed in this case you are not Madeleine McCann,” she said. “There was not a proper or logical basis for this.” A DNA test carried out earlier this year proved Wandelt was not Madeleine.
In a statement, Kate and Gerry McCann said they took “no pleasure in the result” and hoped Wandelt would receive the care and support she needs. Wandelt was sentenced to six months in prison, which she has already served, and banned from contacting the McCanns. She could also face deportation.
The case has raised questions about the treatment of people who claim to be missing children, with some experts suggesting they may be suffering from mental health issues or attention-seeking behaviour.
German prosecutors have named Christian Brückner as their prime suspect in the case, although he has never been charged. Brückner was released from jail in September after serving a sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal in 2005.