Topline: A British court convicted Julia Wandelt of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann after she attempted to force a DNA test to prove she was their missing daughter.
Published: November 13, 2025 9:00 am ET
Must Read
Left: Julia Wandelt, Right: Kate and Gerry McCann holding a photo of their daughter Madeline McCann (via AP/Getty)
LEICESTER, UK — A Polish woman who spent years claiming to be Madeleine McCann was convicted of harassing the missing girl’s parents in an English court on November 7.
Julia Wandelt, 24, was sentenced to six months in prison, which she has already served, after a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court. She also faces deportation after an order was served in court, as reported by The Guardian.
Wandelt was found guilty of harassment but was acquitted of the more serious charge of stalking. Her supporter, Karen Spragg, 61, who accompanied Wandelt on key occasions, was also acquitted of all charges on the same day, according to the BBC.
The conviction follows a pattern of contact that culminated in a confrontation at the McCanns’ residence.
Wandelt initially reached out to Madeleine’s younger sister, Amelie McCann, on social media in January 2024. This contact came after multiple failed attempts by Wandelt to reach the parents directly, according to the BBC.
In December 2024, Wandelt went to Kate and Gerry McCann’s home in Leicestershire, demanding the missing girl’s father submit to a DNA test. Wandelt was accompanied by Spragg during the visit, per the BBC.
Wandelt returned to the home the following day and left a letter on the door addressed to Kate. The note was signed using the name of the McCanns’ missing daughter. The family’s ordeal in dealing with the woman began earlier that year.
Amelie McCann and her parents testified in court about the emotional impact of the constant contact. Amelie stated she tried to handle the communications from Wandelt on her own. Her twin brother, Sean McCann, had a statement read in court on his behalf, explaining that he blocked Wandelt on social media upon receiving messages.
During the trial, Wandelt maintained her claim that she was the missing child. She told the court she had memories of living with the McCann family and playing with the siblings, The Guardian reported.
Wandelt testified, “I do believe I’m her. I do remember them but I’m exhausted, I’m completely exhausted with all of this.”
However, the claims were scientifically disproven before the trial. A DNA test showed that Wandelt was not Madeleine McCann, who was born two years after Wandelt. The missing girl, who vanished from her bed at a vacation apartment in Portugal on May 3, 2007, would be 22 today.
Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, spoke after the verdict. They stated they only wanted the harassment to stop and did not want to endure a court process.
“We hope Ms. Wandelt will receive the appropriate care and support she needs and any vulnerability will not be exploited by others,” the couple said, according to The Guardian.
The McCanns were named suspects early in the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance but were later cleared by authorities. No charges have ever been filed in connection with the girl’s disappearance, and it remains unclear if she is still alive.
The sentencing included a permanent measure to protect the McCann family. The judge issued restraining orders to both Wandelt and Spragg, banning them from contacting the McCanns and from visiting the Leicestershire area.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Woman Who Falsely Claimed to Be Madeleine McCann Gets Six Months for Harassment
A British court convicted Julia Wandelt of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann after she attempted to force a DNA test to prove she was their missing daughter.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 13, 2025 9:00 am ET
Left: Julia Wandelt, Right: Kate and Gerry McCann holding a photo of their daughter Madeline McCann (via AP/Getty)
LEICESTER, UK — A Polish woman who spent years claiming to be Madeleine McCann was convicted of harassing the missing girl’s parents in an English court on November 7.
Julia Wandelt, 24, was sentenced to six months in prison, which she has already served, after a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court. She also faces deportation after an order was served in court, as reported by The Guardian.
Wandelt was found guilty of harassment but was acquitted of the more serious charge of stalking. Her supporter, Karen Spragg, 61, who accompanied Wandelt on key occasions, was also acquitted of all charges on the same day, according to the BBC.
The conviction follows a pattern of contact that culminated in a confrontation at the McCanns’ residence.
Wandelt initially reached out to Madeleine’s younger sister, Amelie McCann, on social media in January 2024. This contact came after multiple failed attempts by Wandelt to reach the parents directly, according to the BBC.
In December 2024, Wandelt went to Kate and Gerry McCann’s home in Leicestershire, demanding the missing girl’s father submit to a DNA test. Wandelt was accompanied by Spragg during the visit, per the BBC.
Wandelt returned to the home the following day and left a letter on the door addressed to Kate. The note was signed using the name of the McCanns’ missing daughter. The family’s ordeal in dealing with the woman began earlier that year.
Amelie McCann and her parents testified in court about the emotional impact of the constant contact. Amelie stated she tried to handle the communications from Wandelt on her own. Her twin brother, Sean McCann, had a statement read in court on his behalf, explaining that he blocked Wandelt on social media upon receiving messages.
During the trial, Wandelt maintained her claim that she was the missing child. She told the court she had memories of living with the McCann family and playing with the siblings, The Guardian reported.
Wandelt testified, “I do believe I’m her. I do remember them but I’m exhausted, I’m completely exhausted with all of this.”
However, the claims were scientifically disproven before the trial. A DNA test showed that Wandelt was not Madeleine McCann, who was born two years after Wandelt. The missing girl, who vanished from her bed at a vacation apartment in Portugal on May 3, 2007, would be 22 today.
Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, spoke after the verdict. They stated they only wanted the harassment to stop and did not want to endure a court process.
“We hope Ms. Wandelt will receive the appropriate care and support she needs and any vulnerability will not be exploited by others,” the couple said, according to The Guardian.
The McCanns were named suspects early in the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance but were later cleared by authorities. No charges have ever been filed in connection with the girl’s disappearance, and it remains unclear if she is still alive.
The sentencing included a permanent measure to protect the McCann family. The judge issued restraining orders to both Wandelt and Spragg, banning them from contacting the McCanns and from visiting the Leicestershire area.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Woman Who Falsely Claimed to Be Madeleine McCann Gets Six Months for Harassment
A British court convicted Julia Wandelt of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann after she attempted to force a DNA test to prove she was their missing daughter.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 13, 2025 9:00 am ET
Left: Julia Wandelt, Right: Kate and Gerry McCann holding a photo of their daughter Madeline McCann (via AP/Getty)
LEICESTER, UK — A Polish woman who spent years claiming to be Madeleine McCann was convicted of harassing the missing girl’s parents in an English court on November 7.
Julia Wandelt, 24, was sentenced to six months in prison, which she has already served, after a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court. She also faces deportation after an order was served in court, as reported by The Guardian.
Wandelt was found guilty of harassment but was acquitted of the more serious charge of stalking. Her supporter, Karen Spragg, 61, who accompanied Wandelt on key occasions, was also acquitted of all charges on the same day, according to the BBC.
The conviction follows a pattern of contact that culminated in a confrontation at the McCanns’ residence.
Wandelt initially reached out to Madeleine’s younger sister, Amelie McCann, on social media in January 2024. This contact came after multiple failed attempts by Wandelt to reach the parents directly, according to the BBC.
In December 2024, Wandelt went to Kate and Gerry McCann’s home in Leicestershire, demanding the missing girl’s father submit to a DNA test. Wandelt was accompanied by Spragg during the visit, per the BBC.
Wandelt returned to the home the following day and left a letter on the door addressed to Kate. The note was signed using the name of the McCanns’ missing daughter. The family’s ordeal in dealing with the woman began earlier that year.
Amelie McCann and her parents testified in court about the emotional impact of the constant contact. Amelie stated she tried to handle the communications from Wandelt on her own. Her twin brother, Sean McCann, had a statement read in court on his behalf, explaining that he blocked Wandelt on social media upon receiving messages.
During the trial, Wandelt maintained her claim that she was the missing child. She told the court she had memories of living with the McCann family and playing with the siblings, The Guardian reported.
Wandelt testified, “I do believe I’m her. I do remember them but I’m exhausted, I’m completely exhausted with all of this.”
However, the claims were scientifically disproven before the trial. A DNA test showed that Wandelt was not Madeleine McCann, who was born two years after Wandelt. The missing girl, who vanished from her bed at a vacation apartment in Portugal on May 3, 2007, would be 22 today.
Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, spoke after the verdict. They stated they only wanted the harassment to stop and did not want to endure a court process.
“We hope Ms. Wandelt will receive the appropriate care and support she needs and any vulnerability will not be exploited by others,” the couple said, according to The Guardian.
The McCanns were named suspects early in the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance but were later cleared by authorities. No charges have ever been filed in connection with the girl’s disappearance, and it remains unclear if she is still alive.
The sentencing included a permanent measure to protect the McCann family. The judge issued restraining orders to both Wandelt and Spragg, banning them from contacting the McCanns and from visiting the Leicestershire area.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
