A woman who waged a relentless five-year stalking campaign against Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing Madeleine McCann, has been sentenced after an emotional courtroom breakdown where she protested "I shouldn't be here".
Five Years of Harassment
Helga Ragnhildur Lobb, 52, subjected the McCanns to a sustained campaign of harassment between 2018 and 2023, sending numerous unwanted letters and emails to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire. The court heard how the correspondence contained offensive and distressing content, causing significant anxiety to the couple who have endured unimaginable suffering since their daughter's disappearance in 2007.
Emotional Courtroom Scene
During the hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court, Lobb became visibly distressed, telling the magistrate through tears: "I shouldn't be in court, I haven't done anything." Her emotional outburst came as she faced sentencing for her persistent campaign against the grieving parents.
The court was told that Lobb, who has autism and lives in supported accommodation in Leicester, had previously pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
Restraining Order and Sentencing
District Judge Jonathan Taaffe handed Lobb a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days and a mental health treatment requirement. Most significantly, he imposed a five-year restraining order prohibiting any contact with the McCanns or visiting Rothley.
In his remarks, Judge Taaffe acknowledged Lobb's mental health challenges but emphasised the severe impact on the victims, stating the McCanns had suffered "great distress and anxiety" and were "very concerned" about their safety.
Pattern of Behaviour
The court heard how Lobb's fixation with the McCann case began after she watched a documentary about Madeleine's disappearance. Her harassment escalated over time, with prosecutors describing how the correspondence became increasingly frequent and distressing.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the McCann family, who have been in the public eye for nearly two decades since their daughter vanished during a family holiday in Portugal.
