British actor Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife, Sophie Hunter, pose on the red carpet upon arrival at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, on March 13, 2022.
The terrifying assault on Benedict Cumberbatch and his family at their London home made headlines across the world.
An iron gate of a property in North London was allegedly kicked open by 35-year-old former chef Jack Bissell while Cumberbatch, his wife, Sophie Hunter, and their three small children were inside, as reported by BBC News.
When Bissell appeared at Wood Green Crown Court, he allegedly stated, "I know you've moved here, I hope it burns down."
The Terror Attack in Cumberbatch's Family Home
Bissell, a former chef de partie at Mayfair's five-star Beaumont Hotel, admitted to criminal damage in Cumberbatch's property. He committed by, among other things, spitting at the intercom and destroying it with a fish knife, and yanking up a plant and tossing it against a wall.
The judge ordered him to pay £250 (around $310) and imposed a restraining order barring him from going near Cumberbatch's home or family for three years.
According to Entertainment Tonight, Bissell did not provide a defense in court. Consequently, it was unclear why he attacked.
Additional sources state that Bissell attempted to flee the site of the crime before being apprehended owing to the discovery of his DNA on the intercom.
The Daily Mail reported that Bissell has a criminal record that includes larceny, three warnings for offenses against property, a public order violation, and a drug charge. During a rally in downtown London in 2015, Bissell was arrested and photographed while wearing just his underpants.
According to The Daily Mail's source, "Naturally all of the family were absolutely terrified and thought this guy was going to get in and hurt them ... Benedict and Sophie have had many sleepless nights since worrying that they may be targeted again."
Cumberbatch and Hunter tied the knot in 2015 and apparently bought their house the same year. They have three boys: Kit, Hal, and Finn.
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Previous Assaults on Cumberbatch
This is not the first time that Cumberbatch has been the subject of attacks, according to The Telegraph.
In 2004, he was abducted by a group of six guys while shooting in South Africa. He reflected on the experience at the time, saying, "It taught me that you come into this world as you leave it, on your own. It's made me want to live a life slightly less ordinary."
In 2015, he purchased a five-bedroom home in London. Cumberbatch called the police the same year when a stalker tied red ribbons to his vehicle and residence.
The lady, who authorities believe to be an obsessive fan of a Sherlock Holmes book, reportedly visited the actor's house at least twice before she was banned from any contact with him. Because of this, Benedict Cumberbatch tightened up his security at the Barbican, where he was playing Hamlet.
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