Astonishing courtroom scenes unfolded as Julia Wandelt, the Polish woman who falsely claimed to be missing child Madeleine McCann, was found guilty of harassment, ending a twisted saga that cruelly tormented the McCann family.
False Madeleine Claim Ends in Guilty Verdict
Julia Wandelt, 24, from Lubin, Poland, has been convicted of harassing the parents of Madeleine McCann, the British toddler who vanished in Portugal in 2007.
A jury at Leicester Crown Court ruled unanimously that while she was not guilty of stalking, her actions amounted to harassment, which Judge Mrs Justice Cutts described as part of a deeply “cruel” campaign.
Wandelt was accused of targeting Kate and Gerry McCann through a series of disturbing actions, including emails, voicemails, and even appearing at their family home.
Her associate, Karen Spragg, was cleared of both stalking and harassment. The pair, who were seen holding hands in the dock before the verdicts were read, reacted emotionally. Wandelt gasped upon hearing the verdict; Spragg, visibly relieved, broke into tears.
Harassment But No Jail Time: Judge Weighs Sentence
Despite the conviction, Wandelt will not face additional prison time.
The judge explained: “I think it also is a fact that Julia Wandelt has been in custody since her arrest in February of this year… You have served more than [the maximum sentence] in the time that you have been on remand.”
Wandelt was convicted of a summary offence, carrying a maximum six-month prison sentence. Having already served longer while awaiting trial, no further time will be imposed.
However, she has been issued with a restraining order, banning her from contacting or approaching the McCanns, as she poses a “significant risk of the harassment of the McCanns in future.”
“Blindingly Obvious” She Wasn’t Madeleine
During the trial, the court was told it was “blindingly obvious” that Wandelt was not Madeleine McCann, whose disappearance at age three remains one of the most haunting missing person cases in UK history.
Yet Wandelt persisted in pushing her claims. She used social media and private messages to perpetuate the idea that she was the missing child, which the prosecution said was clearly false and manipulative.
In a courtroom statement, she said: “If people here say I’m not, you know what, I’m OK with it. I’m just exhausted with it… I do believe I’m her… I do remember them but I’m exhausted.”
Prosecutor Slams Defendants for “Tormenting” McCanns
Crown prosecutor Michael Duck KC strongly criticised the actions of Wandelt and Spragg, stating: “This case is about Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg individually and subsequently as a team causing very significant distress to Kate and Gerry McCann.”
He argued the women knew they were in the wrong and had a clear intent to push their own agenda. He referenced their visit to the McCann’s property in December, where comments made by Spragg suggested she actively encouraged Wandelt’s actions.
“They cared only about their own agenda. They knew what they were doing was wrong,” he added.
Wandelt’s claim that she did not believe her actions caused distress was dismissed by Mr Duck as a necessary defence tactic.
Judge’s Instructions: “Put Emotion Aside”
Mrs Justice Cutts reminded the jury to base their decisions purely on evidence, not emotion.
“Emotion of any kind does not assist in deciding whether the allegation against each defendant is satisfactorily proved,” she advised.
Spragg, for her part, chose not to testify during the proceedings.
A Troubling Chapter in the McCann Family’s Ongoing Ordeal
The case adds another painful chapter to the McCann family’s long struggle for peace following Madeleine’s disappearance 18 years ago.
Julia Wandelt’s disturbing impersonation and subsequent harassment have now been legally condemned, but the emotional toll on the McCanns is incalculable.
Despite the guilty verdict, many are left wondering how a false identity claim spiralled so far—and how social media platforms played a role in enabling the spread of such damaging misinformation.
As speculation continues to surround the McCann case, this courtroom conclusion offers some justice but no closure.
