Benedict Cumberbatch has lived a pretty quiet life for years now. He married Sophie Hunter and they’re now parents to three sons. They live in London, and Benedict works a lot while Sophie raises their kids. Gone are the days when Benedict was everywhere, doing the most and giving interviews constantly. I’m not sure if Benedict ever moved his family out of his “bachelor pad” – his London home which he had owned for years – or whether he and Sophie simply renovated it for their family. But it’s well-known among fans that Benedict lives in north London, and he used to get pap’d in his neighborhood with some frequency. That is perhaps how a stalker came to know Benedict’s address, and how that stalker came to terrorize Benedict and his family. This story is so disturbing.
Benedict Cumberbatch and his family were left fearing for their lives when a former chef at a luxury hotel launched a ranting knife attack at the star’s home. Jack Bissell, 35, kicked his way through the front garden’s iron gate at the actor’s £3.5million house in north London, ripped the intercom off the wall and made a series of terrifying threats.
Bissell, who has not explained his outburst, was shouting: ‘I know you’ve moved here, I hope it burns down,’ a court heard.
Cumberbatch, 46, his wife Sophie Hunter, 45, and their three young children were in the home at the time and could hear Bissell smashing into the garden and screaming abuse. The former chef de partie at the five-star Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair then pulled out one of the family’s plants and threw it at the garden wall, spat at the intercom and prised it loose using a fish knife.
A source said: ‘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 fact that it was a targeted intrusion makes it a lot more scary.’
Bissell fled the scene but was arrested after police found his DNA on the intercom. He admitted criminal damage at Wood Green Crown Court earlier this month, was fined £250 and given a three-year restraining order banning him from approaching the Cumberbatch family and the area in which they live. Prosecutors said that before targeting the Sherlock star’s home, Bissell bought two packets of pitta bread from a shop nearby and shouted to the shopkeeper that he was going to break into Cumberbatch’s house and burn it to the ground. It is not clear why Bissell targeted the Oscar nominee. He offered no defence in court.
“Bissell bought two packets of pitta bread from a shop nearby and shouted to the shopkeeper that he was going to break into Cumberbatch’s house and burn it to the ground”– dafaq?? And only giving this guy a small fine and a restraining order? The restraining order is fine, but considering what he did – property damage, making deadly threats – I would have expected jail time and perhaps court-ordered therapy for his obvious mental health issues. Do y’all not do that in Britain? Good lord.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter pose at the premiere of ‘The Power of the Dog’ during the 78th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido in Venice, Italy, on 02 September 2021.,Image: 630060873, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: picture alliance / dpa, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hubert Boesl / DPA Picture Alliance / Avalon 
Benedict Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter attend the American Express Gala and UK Premiere of ‘The Power Of The Dog’ at The 65th BFI London Film Festival at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, England, UK on Monday 11 October, 2021.,Image: 637605206, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon 
WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – DECEMBER 13: Theatre director Sophie Hunter and husband/actor Benedict Cumberbatch arrive at the Premiere Of Columbia Pictures’ ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ held at the Regency Village Theatre on December 13, 2021 in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 648030374, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Sophie Hunter, Benedict Cumberbatch, Credit line: Image Press Agency / Image Press Agency / Avalon
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter arrive for the 75th EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK,Image: 669448702, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: James Shaw / Avalon 
Oscar® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter arrive on the red carpet of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at the Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.,Image: 673542314, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Avalon Licensing Ltd. do not claim any Copyright of the attached image WORLD RIGHTS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWlpaoZ6e8GepZ6cmZjBoK%2FUppmeqpKWwaS0vqGgrJeWlrqquNiYrp6qlZTBpr7RqKmispWZrKPFvpqWpKaZm7Juw8ieo52hnpystMDApaKeql8%3D