A woman who persistently harassed the parents of missing Madeleine McCann, after claiming to be their daughter, has been found guilty in a UK court.
The Harassment Campaign
Julia Wandelt, 24, was convicted of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann following a campaign where she repeatedly contacted them and even appeared at their home. Wandelt demanded a DNA test, insisting she was Madeleine McCann. Her belief was reportedly fuelled by memories recovered during hypnosis sessions, which included narratives of being abducted and previously living with the McCanns.
The trial at Leicester Crown Court heard shocking details of the intensity of the harassment. In one instance last year, Wandelt called and messaged Mrs McCann more than 60 times in a single day.
The Court's Verdict
After considering the evidence, the jury delivered a guilty verdict for the charge of harassment. However, they found Wandelt not guilty of the more serious charge of stalking. Her co-defendant in the case, Karen Spragg, was acquitted of all charges against her.
The case highlights the ongoing pain and public scrutiny faced by the McCann family since their daughter's disappearance in Portugal in 2007.
