Hollywood star Benedict Cumberbatch and his family were left "absolutely terrified" after a former chef launched a knife attack outside their north London home.

Jack Bissell, 35, of Chetwynd Road, Gospel Oak, kicked his way through the front garden's iron gate before ripping the intercom off the wall and making a series of terrifying threats.

Cumberbatch, 46, his wife Sophie Hunter and their three young children were all at home at the time, and could hear Bissell smashing his way into the garden and screaming abuse.

The former chef then pulled out one of the family's plants and threw it at the garden wall, spat at the intercom and prised it loose using a fish knife.

Bissell was arrested after police found his DNA on the intercom.

It is not clear why Bissell targeted the star.

A source told the Daily Mail: "Naturally all of the family were absolutely terrified and thought this guy was going to get in and hurt them.

"Luckily it never went that far. Benedict and Sophie have had many sleepless nights since worrying that they may be targeted again.

"The fact that it was a targeted intrusion makes it a lot more scary."

Prosecutors said that before targeting the Sherlock star's home, Bissell bought two packets of pitta bread from a shop nearby and shouted to the shopkeeper that he was going to break into Cumberbatch's house and burn it to the ground.

However, the chef did not explain his outburst, offering no defence when he appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on May 10.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced but details of the case could not be reported until blanket reporting restrictions were lifted this week.

Bissell, who previously worked at a five-star hotel in Mayfair, was known to authorities, having a previous shoplifting and drug offence.

Bissell admitted to criminal damage, was fined £250 and given a three-year restraining order banning him from approaching the Cumberbatch family and the area in which they live.