Crook killed dad 10 days after raid
A BURGLAR who raided Simon Cowell’s mansion killed a motorcyclist in a hit and run 10 days later, a court heard.
Serial crook Darren February, 33, stole almost £1million of property from the house in an exclusive part of west London.
A jury took just 56 minutes to find him guilty at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday after a four-day trial.
He was branded a “danger to society”. He is already serving an eight-and-ahalf year sentence for mowing down Kenneth Baldwin, a dad of one, 10 days after raiding Cowell’s home on December 4, 2015. He was driving at up to 60mph when he hit Mr Baldwin near the pop mogul’s mansion, the court was told. February has a criminal record over 21 years – including 37 burglaries in wealthy areas of London. When he broke into Cowell’s house he was on licence for other burglaries and public order offences. He has committed 58 offences in two decades, and was first convicted aged 12. At Cowell’s home, he took two passports and £950,000 of jewellery, including a £500,000 diamond ring. The X Factor boss and his family were sleeping upstairs.
Their live-in security guard was “on the loo” at the time.
February’s DNA was found on gloves dropped as he escaped and on a handprint on a wall at the property, where Cowell has lived for 10 years.
February shook his head as the verdict was returned. Giles Newell, defending, said he was caught up in a case of mistaken identity. February did not provide an alibi nor give evidence to the court.
Det Sgt James Howarth, who led the investigation, said: “Darren February is a danger to society.
“It must have been terrifying for the occupants to imagine someone was inside their home while they slept, particularly with a young child in the house.”
February will be sentenced tomorrow.