A former chef, Jack Bissell, attacked and caused damage to actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s residence in London using a fish knife.
During the incident, Cumberbatch, along with his wife and three children, were present at home when Bissell forcefully kicked through the iron gate of their front garden.
Bissell verbally expressed his animosity, shouting phrases such as “I know you’ve moved here, I hope it burns down,” as revealed during a court hearing earlier this month.
On 10 May, Bissell pleaded guilty to the criminal damage charges at Wood Green Crown Court and received a fine of £250. Additionally, a three-year restraining order was imposed, prohibiting him from approaching Cumberbatch’s family or the vicinity in which they reside.
Initially, reporting on the case was restricted, but the Daily Mail successfully challenged the blanket restrictions, leading to the disclosure of the details this week.
According to court proceedings, Bissell, who had previously served as a chef at a Mayfair hotel until 2020, uprooted a plant and hurled it at the garden wall. He then proceeded to spit at the intercom and forcefully detached it using a fish knife. Subsequently, he fled the scene but was apprehended after his DNA was discovered on the intercom, as reported.
A source close to Cumberbatch told the Daily Mail: “Naturally all of the family were absolutely terrified and thought this guy was going to get in and hurt them.
“Luckily it never went that far. Benedict and Sophie have had many sleepless nights since worrying that they may be targeted again.”
The prosecution told the court that prior to his attack, Bissell bought two packs of pitta bread from a nearby shop and told the shopkeeper he was going to break in and burn down the house.
It is not clear why Bissell targeted Cumberbatch and he offered no defence in court.
He has a previous conviction for theft, three warnings for offences against property, a public order offence and a drug offence. In 2015, he was photographed being arrested during protests against military intervention in Syria in central London.
Cumberbatch is best known for the lead role in the BBC’s Sherlock, and for films such as Doctor Strange, The Imitation Game and The Power of the Dog.