Woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann found guilty of harassing family

Summary

Julia Wandelt, who repeatedly claimed to be the missing British girl Madeline McCann, has been found guilty of harassing the McCann family
She and Karen Spragg, who were on trial together at Leicester Crown Court, were found not guilty of stalking
Sentencing Wandelt to six months in prison, a judge says the 24-year-old from Lubin, south-west Poland, has already served that time while in custody
During the trial, Wandelt burst into tears when lawyers told her there was "no scientific evidence" linking her to the McCanns
The family has been granted restraining orders against Wandelt and Mrs Spragg, with the judge saying Wandelt posed a "significant risk" of harassing the McCanns in the future
Mrs Spragg, from Cardiff, opted not to give evidence as part of her defence
The 61-year-old - who had come to court with a packed bag, in case she was sent to prison - sobbed as she heard the verdict, our reporter there writes

Live Reporting

Edited by Laura Hammond, with Isaac Ashe and Will Jefford reporting from Leicester Crown Court

Defendants held hands as they awaited their fatepublished at 12:02 GMT 7 November
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, East Midlands

Wandelt, in a teal jumper, and Karen Spragg, in a black blazer and grey blouse, were sitting together in the dock, holding hands and wearing headsets.
They were talking among themselves but the demeanour was markedly more subdued from that of the start of the trial five weeks back.
The courtroom convened for the verdicts after about seven-and-a-half hours of jury deliberations.
Image source, PA Media
Sentencing shortlypublished at 11:58 GMT 7 November

The sentencing of Wandelt for the charge of harassment will take place at 12:15 GMT today, the court has been told.
Earlier, judge Mrs Justice Cutts said that harassment carries a maximum sentence of six months.
Wandelt has been in custody since her arrest in February.
Restraining orders likelypublished at 11:54 GMT 7 November

Legal teams have indicated that restraining orders against both women are likely to be applied for.
Tears as Karen Spragg leaves courtpublished at 11:51 GMT 7 November
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, East Midlands

This week, Karen Spragg has been arriving at court with a packed bag - a burgundy holdall - in case she was taken off to prison, but she has walked out of court not guilty.
As she left the dock and then Court 2, she began to sob.
A whispered 'yes' as the verdicts are read outpublished at 11:47 GMT 7 November

It was a muted reaction from the dock, albeit a happy one.
Karen Spragg has just whispered to Wandelt: "You’re coming home."
She then smiles to her.
Harassment carries a maximum sentence of six months, judge sayspublished at 11:44 GMT 7 November

Wandelt, says the judge, has been convicted of a crime with a maximum sentence of six months.
She points out Wandelt has been in custody since February.
Spragg also not guilty of stalkingpublished at 11:41 GMT 7 November
Breaking
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, East Midlands

Karen Spragg has also been found not guilty of stalking causing serious alarm or distress.
Julia Wandelt not guilty of stalking the McCanns - but guilty of harassmentpublished at 11:40 GMT 7 November
Breaking

Jurors have told the court they have found Julia Wandelt not guilty of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann.
Wandelt has, however, been found guilty of a lesser charge of harassment.
Welcome to our live coveragepublished at 11:38 GMT 7 November

Hello and welcome to our live coverage from Leicester Crown Court.
We are expecting a verdict in the trial of two woman accused of stalking the family of Madeleine McCann, who went missing in 2007.
Stay with us, we will bring you more from the courtroom shortly.