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Man jailed for strangling woman over singing at show
10 Sep
Summary
- A 75-year-old man was jailed for two years for non-fatal strangulation.
- The assault occurred during a West End show after the victim sang along.
- The offender has a prior conviction for attempting to arrange murder in Australia.
A 75-year-old man, Malcolm Potier, has been jailed for two years after being found guilty of non-fatal strangulation. The assault took place in June 2023 during a performance of 'We Will Rock You' at the London Coliseum. Potier attacked Kirsty O'Donnell after she began singing along with the music.
Potier, a businessman and surveyor, stated he had no recollection of the incident or being at the show. His defense was unsuccessful as jurors convicted him of the charge. The judge noted a pattern of "dominance, control and lack of accountability" in his behavior.
The court heard that Potier had a significant criminal history, including being jailed in Australia two decades prior for twice attempting to arrange the murder of a former partner. He was later sentenced in Australia for these offenses.
O'Donnell reported that the attack, though brief, has made her more conscious of her physical safety. Potier was arrested in November 2023 after being tracked down by a business card exchanged with his partner, who had asked the victim to be quiet.
