'I hope it burns down': Benedict Cumberbatch's family confronts terrifying knife attack at home by Chef Jack Bissell

'Benedict and Sophie have had many sleepless nights since worrying that they may be targeted again', said a source

PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2023

Jack Bissell (R) attacked Benedict Cumberbatch and his family when they were inside the home (Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images, Jack Bissell/ Linkedin)

CAMDEN, NORTH LONDON: When a former five-star chef launched a furious knife attack at Benedict Cumberbatch's home, he and his family were terrified inside their $3.75M North London home. Jack Bissell, 35, kicked his way through the iron gate of the actor's five-bedroom home that he bought in 2015. Bissell ripped the intercom from the wall and then made a series of terrifying threats.

Bissell repeatedly shouted, "I know you've moved here, I hope it burns down," as per a courts revelation, Daily Mail reported. When the intrusion occurred, Cumberbatch, 46, his wife Sophie Hunter, 45, and their three young children were in the home.

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'Naturally all of the family were absolutely terrified...'

After that, the chef used a fish knife at the five-star Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair and ripped out one of the family's plants, tossed it at the garden wall, spat at the intercom, and pulled it out. The situation did not escalate further but the intrusion left the 'Doctor Strange' actor and especially the couple with several sleep nights, fearing a repeated attack of the exact nature.

"Naturally all of the family were absolutely terrified and thought this guy was going to get in and hurt them," a source told the publication. "Luckily it never went that far," the source said before adding, "Benedict and Sophie have had many sleepless nights since worrying that they may be targeted again." He said that the intrusion being targeted in nature made it more scary for the family.

Bisell's DNA was found on the intercom

According to the report, Bissell fled the area but was eventually arrested by authorities after his DNA was found on the intercom. Prior to the intrusion, Bissell bought two packets of pitta bread from a shop where he shouted at the shopkeeper saying he was going to burn 'Sherlock' star's house to the ground. Following the arrest, Bissell was fined $267 after he admitted to criminal damage and was given three restraining orders which banned him from approaching Cumberbatch family and the area where they live, the report said further. Bissell's motivation for his conduct is unknown, as he presented no explanation or defense in court.

Past history

Jack Bissell, is told of having troubled history, including previous convictions for theft, property-related offenses, a public order offense, and a drug offense. Bissell, who previously participated in a 2015 protest against military intervention in Syria, worked at the luxury hotel in two separate periods from 2017 to 2018 and 2019 to 2020. Notably, his LinkedIn profile boasts credit for creating a dish that still remains on the restaurant's menu.