Cowell raider has left the producer terrified

Pop mogul Simon Cowell spoke of his ‘constant fear’ for his family as a career criminal was jailed for eight years for stealing £1m worth of gems from his mansion.

Darren February, 33, raided the home of the X-Factor producer as he slept upstairs with partner Lauren Silverman and their young son Eric when at their £10m home in Holland Park, west London.

Security guard Simon Williams was on the toilet when February broke in through a patio door and grabbed jewellery and passports from an open safe on December 4, 2015.

February fled and ten days later he mowed down biker Kenneth Baldwin, 52, while racing through Holland Park at up to 60mph on the wrong side of the road.

He left his victim dying on the street as he returned to his car to remove evidence linking him to the vehicle.

February admitted causing death by dangerous driving and jailed for eight and half years at Southwark Crown Court in May last year.

February was also convicted of burglary at Isleworth Crown Court earlier this week after a trial in which he did not give evidence.

Cowell told of his ‘constant fear’ and concern about his young son’s welfare in a victim impact statement read to the court:

‘This incident has caused me great concerns about the security of my family.

‘On reflection 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 a lot would have happened if the burglar had come into our room.

‘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.

‘There is no doubt that myself and Ms Silverman and my son’s nannies have become much more anxious over safety issues relating to my son’s care and well-being.

‘My son was in the house that night and I am naturally very concerned over what could have happened if the burglar had entered my son’s room, as any parent in the same situation would be.’

February has a long criminal record dating back to when he was 12 for offences which includes burglary, assault and theft.

He was convicted of failing to report a car accident in Portobello Road and was jailed for six months in 2007.

February was also involved in a road traffic collision while disqualified in July 2006 after he crashed into a bollard when trying to escape police and ran off.

He was sentenced to four years in prison in 2013 for assault, affray, criminal damage and a number of thefts.

At the time of the fatal crash he was on licence and has since been recalled to prison.

Judge Martin Edmunds QC sentenced February to eight years jail, to run consecutively to his current eight and a half term.

He said: ‘This was a night creeper burglary.

‘Some of it has not been recovered, valued in the region of £814,000.

‘With jewellery, often however wealthy the owners may be these items are often very like to have significant sentimental value as well.

‘Mr Cowell was very concerned of what could have happened to his son had you gone into his room.

‘When you are free to do so you offend in damaging and cruel ways.

‘It is quite clear you targeted wealthy homes in the hope of substantial gains.’

February, who had previously carried out 37 burglaries in the area, broke into Cowell’s home through the patio door at 1.30am on December 4, 2015.

He managed to drop his gloves while leaving the scene and was recognised by police officers from CCTV footage of the raid.

Traces of February’s DNA were also found on samples taken from a mark on the side wall of the entrance steps to Cowell’s luxury home.

A passport belonging to the music mogul was later recovered from a recycling facility in Wandsworth.

Cowell, 57, told the court how diamond rings worth £500,000 were stolen in the raid.

In a statement read to the jury he said: ‘My son and his nanny were in their bedroom on the second floor and our security guard Simon Williams was in his offence on the ground floor.

‘There is a large safe within a wardrobe. Myself and Lauren went to bed at 12:30 on the morning of the burglary, and I believe that my nanny and son were already asleep.

‘I next remember being woken by Simon Williams who said here had been an incident in the property, we had been robbed and should stay in the room.

‘Lauren and myself had then asked about my son and we were very concerned about making sure he was alright.

‘Our safe had been open and items had been taken.

‘Lauren was flying abroad that morning and she wanted to quietly get her jewellery.

‘The security guard came to me and told me my passports and brown 1920 attache case had been recovered and I realised it had been taken.’

Cowell said among the jewellery taken were watches worth £200,000, diamond rings worth £500,000, diamond earrings valued at £220,000 and diamond bracelets worth £50,000.

Most of the items have not been recovered.

Giles Newell, defending February, said: ‘May I ask the court to pass as short a sentence as possible today.

‘It isn’t a ransacking.

‘He is currently serving a long sentence.

‘The other serious offence was committed 10 days later.

‘I would ask the court to sentence as if he was being sentenced at the same time for both offences.’

February, of no fixed address but formerly of Octavia House, North Kensington, denied but was convicted of burglary.
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