Pensioner ‘strangled woman as she watched Queen’s We Will Rock You musical’ leaving her in ‘shock and pure disbelief’

NewsUK News A PENSIONER tried to throttle a woman during a performance of Queen musical We Will Rock You, a court heard yesterday. Kirsty O’Donnell said she felt “shock and pure disbelief” as Malcolm Potier, 74, put his hands round her neck. They were attending the official Press night of the stage show at the London Coliseum — which saw an appearance by band guitarist Brian May — in June 2023. Ms O’Donnell told Southwark crown court people were singing and enjoying the show until Potier put his hands on her neck and applied “intense pressure” for up to four seconds. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! She said: “It did ease, and I was able to say, ‘Can you please let go?’. “I felt shock, terror, just pure disbelief.” Ms O’Donnell said afterwards she asked a friend: “What just happened?” — then stayed until the end of the show as she did not want to walk past Potier. Another audience member helped identify him. Ms O’Donnell told jurors: “I don’t forget faces, I instantly recognised him.” Potier, of Sarratt, Herts, denies assault. Trial continues. Most read in The Sun