Malcolm Potier has been sentenced to jail for attacking a theatergoer who started singing during a performance of a musical based on the music of the rock band Queen. The incident occurred when the victim and a companion began singing along, prompting a negative reaction from Potier and his theatre critic partner, Lizzie Loveridge. According to prosecutor Sam Lubner, after Loveridge told the singers to be quiet, Potier responded by saying "I'll show you what rude is" before assaulting the woman.
The attack, which lasted only a few seconds, led to Potier's arrest in November 2023. Investigators were able to track down Potier and Loveridge with the help of a business card Loveridge had given to the victim. The victim, who was not physically injured, told the judge that she has become more wary of her surroundings and more conscious of her physical safety since the assault. She expressed a desire to set an example for young women, stating that such behavior is unacceptable.
During the trial, the victim reported hearing Potier laughing outside the court and discussing his belief that his age would prevent him from receiving a prison sentence. Court documents revealed that Potier has a history of serious offenses. He was previously given a six-year jail sentence in 2002 for inciting the murder of his former partner in Australia and an additional 12-year sentence in 2006 for attempting to arrange her murder again. The specific sentence for the theater assault was not detailed in the provided notes.