Julia Wandelt, known for her false claims related to Madeleine McCann, delivered a disturbing message to her father during their last encounter. Wandelt was convicted of harassment after showing up at the McCann family’s residence and sending them unsettling letters and messages requesting a DNA test. Despite facing potential deportation, the 24-year-old received a six-month prison sentence, which was shorter than the time she spent in custody awaiting trial. However, she was acquitted of stalking charges.
The court determined that Wandelt poses a significant risk of harassing the McCanns in the future, leading to her potential deportation from the UK. Her father, Jacek, revealed the unsettling message she conveyed to him before Christmas. Wandelt insisted that he was not her real father and claimed to be Madeleine McCann, despite his attempts to reason with her.
Jacek expressed concern for his daughter, stating that she is not malicious but in need of help. In response to the verdict, Kate and Gerry McCann expressed their discomfort with the situation, emphasizing their desire for the harassment to cease. They clarified that the decision to prosecute Wandelt was made by the Crown Prosecution Service based on police evidence.
The McCanns hope that Wandelt will receive the necessary care and support for her condition, emphasizing the importance of not exploiting her vulnerabilities. They also encouraged anyone with new information regarding Madeleine’s disappearance to report it to the authorities. During the trial, Wandelt claimed to have memories, induced by hypnosis, of being abducted and living with the McCanns as a child. She tried to convince others that she was Madeleine, recounting a story of being kidnapped from Portugal and enduring abuse along with other girls in Poland.