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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Tristan Kirk

Anya Taylor-Joy and rock star husband caught up in terrifying burglary at London mansion

Hollywood star Anya Taylor-Joy fell victim to a terrifying burglary on the London mansion where she was staying, it can be revealed.

The actress, 28, was at the north London property in February last year with musician husband Malcolm McRae and his bandmate Kane Richotte when the break-in happened.

Glass was smashed by masked intruders who forced their way into the home, it is alleged.

Two burglars are then said to have attempted to gain access to Taylor-Joy and McRae’s bedroom while they were inside.

News of the break-in can be reported for the first time today, after The Standard won a nine-month legal battle for reporting restrictions on the case to be lifted.

Anya Taylor-Joy walked the red carpet at the Baftas just a week after her burglary ordeal (Dave Benett)

The prime suspect in the break-in is Kirk Holdrick, 42, who is accused of being one of two men who forced entry to the luxury home.

Holdrick, who hails from Essex, was pictured in 2022 on a string of dates with TOWIE star Hannah Voyan, when it was reported they had been dating for more than a year.

Holdrick, who is now being held at high-security Gartree Prison in Leicestershire, has pleaded not guilty to burglary on February 12, 2023.

Kirk Holdrick is accused of burgling the north London home (Hertfordshire Police)

His trial is due to start in September next year at Wood Green crown court.

Taylor-Joy made her breakthrough with a starring role in 2015 film The Witch, she appeared in Mad Max blockbuster Furiosa as well as M. Night Shyamalan horrors Split and Glass, and counts The Menu, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and David O’ Russell’s Amsterdam among her recent acting credits.

Kane Richotte (L) and Malcom McRae (R) of the band more* (Drew Escriva | Warner Records)

The Queen’s Gambit and Peaky Blinders star bravely appeared on the red carpet at the Baftas just a week after her break-in ordeal.

The US-born star, whose upbringing was split between London and Buenos Aires, eloped to marry McRae in New Orleans in April 2022.

The couple then held a second wedding in Venice in October 2023, with around 150 guests joining them lavish celebration.

McRae, a guitarist, pianist and singer, performs with Richotte in two-man rock band more*, and they appeared together in hit Prime Video series Daisy Jones and the Six.

At the time of the burglary, Taylor-Joy, McRae and Richotte were all staying at a north London property belonging to a well-known person whose identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons.

Anya Taylor-Joy and her husband Malcolm McRae were in the bedroom when burglars entered the home where they were staying (Getty Images)

They were reportedly shaken-up by the ordeal, but were not physically hurt.

Holdrick, who is originally from Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, was charged in January this year with burglary, and has appeared multiple times at court via a prison videolink for preparations for his trial.

He pleaded not guilty in April, and is understood to deny any involvement in the break-in.

(Dave Benett)

In September 2022 he was pictured holding hands with Ms Voyan after a night out at Mayfair restaurant Sexy Fish with some of the TOWIE stars.

Judge Kalyani Kaul KC agreed on Monday for a reporting restriction to be lifted, allowing the names of the victims of the burglary to be published for the first time.

Holdrick’s trial is expected to start on September 29 next year, and is scheduled to last four days.

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