Cowell: We live in constant fear of another raid
Burglar gets 8yrs for Simon break-in
SIMON Cowell told how a break-in at his home caused huge trauma for his family, as the burglar was jailed for eight years yesterday.
The X Factor judge, 57, said he was scared of what “could have happened” when Darren February, 33, prowled round the mansion in the dead of night, stealing jewellery worth almost £1million.
Cowell and partner Lauren Silverman, 39, were asleep upstairs as serial thief February checked rooms on the floor where their son Eric, three, and his nanny were sleeping.
In an impact statement, Cowell said: “The whole incident has been very traumatic and there is a constant fear that it may be repeated and that it may be worse next time.
“This incident has caused me great concerns about the security of my family.
“I am very scared of what could have happened to my son if the burglar had gone into his room. I could not bear to think of the consequences and also what would have happened if the burglar had come into our room. “Ms Silverman and my son’s nannies have become much more anxious over safety issues relating to my son’s care.” February forced a patio door at the £12million home in Holland Park, West London, early on December 4, 2015. He stole £950,000 of diamond jewellery, of which £800,000 is still missing, Isleworth crown court, in West London, heard. Judge Martin Edmunds QC told February, who has convictions from age 12: “When free to do so, you offend in damaging and cruel ways.” February, of no fixed address, is serving eight-and-a-half years for killing a dad in a hit-and-run 10 days after the break-in. His jail term for burglary will be added to the end of the sentence.