Career Criminal Receives Extended Sentence for Terrifying Celebrity Home Invasion
A dangerous armed robber who attempted to force his way into Hollywood actress Anya Taylor-Joy's London bedroom has been handed additional prison time for the terrifying home invasion. Kirk Holdrick, 43, was part of a masked duo who smashed their way into a luxury London property in February 2023, in what prosecutors believe may have been a targeted attack on the Golden Globe-winning star.
The Night of the Invasion
In the early hours of February 12, 2023, Taylor-Joy and her husband, rock musician Malcolm McRae, were staying at a London mansion with McRae's musical partner Kane Ritchotte when they heard glass shattering. McRae went to investigate and encountered two masked intruders forcing their way into the property. The singer shouted "hey, stop" before retreating to the bedroom where his wife was staying.
McRae locked the bedroom door and instructed Taylor-Joy to hide behind the bed as the intruders began attempting to prise open the door with a crowbar. Armed only with a lamp, McRae managed to scare off the burglars by shouting that he had a gun. The couple remained barricaded inside the bedroom until Metropolitan Police arrived, with visible damage to the door frame from the attempted forced entry.
Targeted Attack on Celebrity Occupants
Prosecutors argued this was likely a targeted attack on the celebrity occupants, as the burglars headed directly for the bedroom rather than stealing valuable items from elsewhere in the property. CCTV footage captured the moment Holdrick and his accomplice scaled a wall to access the home, triggering an external security light that appeared to startle them during their break-in attempt.
Forensic evidence played a crucial role in the investigation. Holdrick left his DNA on the back door of the property, while shoe prints from his trainers were discovered outside the bedroom door. Despite initially denying involvement and claiming he had attended a party at the property in the past, Holdrick eventually pleaded guilty to burglary in mid-December.
Criminal History and Additional Offences
Holdrick is a career criminal with convictions dating back to his teenage years. He was already serving a life sentence for armed robberies committed in 2005 when he committed these latest offences. Just nine days after the Taylor-Joy incident, Holdrick participated in another home invasion in Sandbanks, overlooking Poole harbour, where a woman and her daughter were held at gunpoint, tied up, and threatened with violence.
For the Sandbanks robbery, Holdrick received a 12-year prison sentence in November 2025. He has now been given an additional three years for the London burglary involving Taylor-Joy and McRae. Judge Barbara Mensah presided over the sentencing, during which prosecutors highlighted the fame of the victims and the potentially escalating pattern of Holdrick's criminal behaviour.
Impact on the Victims
Anya Taylor-Joy, known for her roles in The Queen's Gambit, the Dune films, and Peaky Blinders, told police she was traumatised by the ordeal and feared being targeted again in the future. The 29-year-old actress and her husband were reportedly "shaken" by the experience, which occurred at approximately 1am during their stay at the London property.
Documents submitted during the sentencing hearing revealed that Holdrick's legal team attempted to convince the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the burglary charge, arguing that since he was already serving a life sentence and had admitted to the Sandbanks robbery offences, additional prosecution was unnecessary. However, the CPS insisted on pursuing the case, emphasising the seriousness of the London burglary and its potential connection to an escalating criminal pattern.
Holdrick, who also used the alias Aaron Evans, was arrested on April 18, 2023, after stepping off a ferry from Belfast to Liverpool. He has now been returned to prison to continue serving his life sentence with the additional years for his most recent convictions.
