Benedict Cumberbatch, his wife and children were targeted by a man who broke through the gates to their home (Picture: Instagram; Getty)
Benedict Cumberbatch and his family were terrorised by a man wielding a knife who broke onto the star’s property.
The Sherlock star, 46, was at home with his wife Sophie, 45, and their three young children when the trespasser kicked down the gates to their home.
Jack Bissell, 35, arrived at the star’s home in north London and ripped the intercom off the wall and shouted: ”I know you’ve moved here, I hope it burns down.’
He had previously gone to a bakery and announced to the shopkeeper that he was going to burn Cumberbatch’s house down.
Oscar-nominated actor Cumberbatch and his family could hear the man – a former chef at a five-star hotel – screaming abuse in the garden, where he ripped out and threw a plant at the wall and produced a knife to break the intercom.
He then fled the scene but was reportedly caught by police using DNA evidence found on the intercom, a court heard according to the Daily Mail.
The family were reportedly home at the time of the terrifying ordeal (Picture: Getty Images North America)
Bissell, who worked at a 5-star restaurant, did not offer a defence (Picture: Instagram)
A source told the outlet that the family were ‘absolutely terrified’ and believed Bissell was going to ‘get in and hurt them.’
They added that Cumberbatch and his wife have since had ‘many sleepless nights’ fearing they could be attacked again, as the ‘targeted intrusion’ made it even more frightening.
Bissell admitted criminal damage at Wood Green Crown Court in May, was ordered to pay £250 and given a three-year restraining order to the family and the area they live.
He did not offer a reason for his actions.
The actor and his family now have a restraining order in place against the man (Picture: WireImage)
Bissell was reportedly sentened on May 10 but reporting restrictions,, which have now been lifted, were in place.
Cumberbatch is a hugely succesful actor, having made a major name for himself in BBC drama Sherlock.
He has since gone on to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Unvierse as Doctor Strange, and has an impressive portfolio of blockbusters, from The Hobbit and Star Trek Into Darkness.
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The actor has received multiple Oscar nominations for best actor, including in The Imitation Game and The Power of the Dog.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to reps for Cumberbatch for comment.
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