A 75-year-old man was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of non-fatal strangulation during a performance of the musical We Will Rock You at London’s Coliseum in June 2023. Malcolm Potier, a businessman and surveyor from Sarratt near Watford, was convicted by jurors at Southwark Crown Court. Potier claimed he had no memory of attending the show or attacking the victim, Kirsty O’Donnell, but the court found him guilty. The incident occurred during a performance based on the music of the rock band Queen. Potier has a history of violent behavior. He was previously jailed in Australia in 2002 for inciting the murder of a former partner and again in 2006 for attempting to arrange her murder a second time. He is also the former laird of the Scottish island of Gigha. Judge Dafna Spiro described his actions as “extreme and horrific” and noted a consistent pattern of “dominance, control, and lack of accountability” in his behavior. The attack happened after Potier, who attended the show with his theatre critic partner, Lizzie Loveridge, became upset when O’Donnell and a friend began singing along to the music. Loveridge reportedly used a strong swear word to tell them to stop. O’Donnell called the response “rude,” and Potier allegedly said, “I’ll show you what rude is,” before grabbing her and strangling her for a few seconds. The couple was later identified through a business card Loveridge had given to O’Donnell, leading to Potier’s arrest in November 2023. O’Donnell, who suffered no physical injuries, told the court she had become more cautious about her surroundings and more aware of her personal safety since the incident. She expressed a desire to set an example for young women and girls, emphasizing that such behavior is not acceptable. She also revealed that she had heard Potier laughing outside the court during the trial, commenting on his belief that his age might protect him from a prison sentence.