Benedict Cumberbatch and his family were left 'absolutely terrified' when a knife wielding chef attacked their London home.
The Sherlock actor, 46, was at home with his wife, Sophie Hunter, 45, and their three children when the frightening attack took place.
According to court documents, 35-year-old Jack Bissell kicked through their iron gate and yelled: "I know you’ve moved here, I hope it burns down."
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Bissell then proceeded to rip a plant from the garden and throw it at a wall. He then spat at the property's intercom and damaged it using a fish knife, the court heard.
The attacker, who spent two periods as chef de partie at the five-star Beaumont Hotel between 2017 and 2020, fled the scene but was later arrested due to DNA evidence found on the intercom.
A source close to the Cumberbatch family told 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.
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"Benedict and Sophie have had many sleepless nights since worrying that they may be targeted again.
"The fact that it was a targeted intrusion makes it a lot more scary."
Bissell admitted criminal damage at Wood Green Crown Court earlier this month and was ordered to pay a £250 fine and given a three year restraining order.
This order bars him going near the family or to the area in which they live.
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The court heard that before the attack, Bissell had purchased some pitta bread from a nearby shop, where he'd told the shopkeeper that he was going to break into the actor's home and burn it down.
It's not clear why Cumberbatch in particular was targeted, and Bissell offered no defence in court.
Bissell has a previous conviction for theft, three warnings for offences against property, a public order offence and a drug offence.
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He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on 10 May.
Details of this case were prevented from being reported until blanket restrictions were successfully challenged.
Cumberbatch is said to have bought his five-bedroom home back in 2015, shortly after his success playing Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
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