Additional Jail Time for Burglar Who Targeted Anya Taylor-Joy's London Home
A man has been handed extra prison time after confessing to his involvement in a frightening burglary at a London property where actress Anya Taylor-Joy was staying. Kirk Holdrick, aged 43, was sentenced this week for breaking into a multi-million-pound home in the capital during the early hours of 12 February 2023.
Terrifying Home Invasion Details
Prosecutors detailed that Holdrick and another man arrived wearing balaclavas and forced entry by smashing glass. They then moved through the house armed with a crowbar. Inside the property were 29-year-old Taylor-Joy, renowned for her roles in The Queen's Gambit, Peaky Blinders, and the Dune films, and her husband, 31-year-old musician Malcolm McRae, who was alerted by the noise.
After confronting the intruders, McRae retreated to the bedroom and barricaded the door as the men tried to break in. With no weapon available, he armed himself with a lamp while the couple waited for help to arrive. CCTV footage shown to Wood Green Crown Court captured the moment the two men climbed over a wall and appeared to panic when a security light activated.
Targeted Attack and Subsequent Crimes
Prosecutors informed the court they believe the Hollywood actor may have been deliberately targeted. Police found Taylor-Joy and her husband still barricaded inside the bedroom when officers reached the scene. The incident occurred just days before Holdrick carried out a far more violent burglary at a luxury home in Sandbanks, an area known for attracting wealthy residents.
Disguised as police officers, Holdrick and accomplice Ashley Fulton forced their way into the Sandbanks property, tying up a woman and her daughter at gunpoint. The court heard the daughter was dragged by her hair and threatened with an iron and a firearm as the men demanded access to a safe. Although they failed to open it, they escaped with around £200,000 worth of jewellery, watches, and cash.
Sentencing and Criminal History
Holdrick was jailed for 12 years in November after admitting his role in the Sandbanks raid. He has now received an additional three-year sentence for the London burglary involving Taylor-Joy. Initially, Holdrick denied involvement in the London break-in, claiming DNA found at the scene resulted from attending a party at the address. He later pleaded guilty in December.
The court was also told that Holdrick has an extensive criminal record stretching back to his teenage years. Taylor-Joy and McRae, who started dating in May 2021, had a lavish wedding in Italy in 2023.
