An armed robber who attempted to smash his way into the bedroom of Hollywood actress Anya Taylor-Joy during a terrifying home invasion has been sentenced to three years in prison, according to official court documents released this week.
Targeted Attack on Hollywood Star
Prosecutors revealed that the nature of the break-in suggested the intruders specifically targeted the "Queen's Gambit" star and her husband, musician Malcolm McRae, rather than simply seeking to steal valuable items from the luxury London property. Kirk Holdrick and another masked accomplice scaled a wall and forced entry into the home where the couple were staying on February 12, 2023.
Bedroom Door Confrontation
Both intruders were wearing balaclavas and gloves when they entered the property. McRae managed to lock the bedroom door before the burglars attempted to prise it open using a crowbar. The situation escalated dramatically when McRae shouted that he possessed a firearm, prompting the intruders to flee the scene immediately.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Holdrick was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on December 12, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. The details of the case emerged on Tuesday when the Press Association news agency obtained and published the sentencing documents.
Criminal History and Guilty Plea
The court heard that Holdrick was already serving sentences for separate armed robbery offences when this burglary occurred. Initially, he denied any involvement in the Taylor-Joy incident but later changed his plea to guilty as the evidence against him mounted.
This disturbing case highlights the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to targeted criminal attacks, even within what should be secure residential environments. The three-year sentence reflects the serious nature of the offence, particularly given the personal threat posed to the occupants rather than merely property theft.
