This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-39108528
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Simon Cowell burglary: Man guilty of stealing £1m of gems | Simon Cowell burglary: Man guilty of stealing £1m of gems |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A serial burglar has been convicted of stealing jewellery worth almost £1m from Simon Cowell's west London home. | A serial burglar has been convicted of stealing jewellery worth almost £1m from Simon Cowell's west London home. |
| Darren February, 33, of no fixed address, had denied breaking into the Holland Park house while the music mogul and his family slept. | Darren February, 33, of no fixed address, had denied breaking into the Holland Park house while the music mogul and his family slept. |
| He took jewellery and two passports from an open safe while a security guard was in the toilet in December 2015, Isleworth Crown Court heard. | He took jewellery and two passports from an open safe while a security guard was in the toilet in December 2015, Isleworth Crown Court heard. |
| February had previously been convicted of 37 burglaries, the prosecution said. | February had previously been convicted of 37 burglaries, the prosecution said. |
| He is currently serving an eight-and-a-half year jail sentence for causing death by dangerous driving after hitting a motorcyclist near Mr Cowell's home just 10 days after the burglary. He was convicted last year. | |
| He was first convicted aged 12 and has committed 58 offences spanning two decades. | He was first convicted aged 12 and has committed 58 offences spanning two decades. |
| The jury took less than an hour to find him guilty following a four-day trial. | The jury took less than an hour to find him guilty following a four-day trial. |
| The court heard February's DNA was found on gloves dropped during his escape and on a handprint left on a wall at the property. A security worker also spotted him as he fled. | The court heard February's DNA was found on gloves dropped during his escape and on a handprint left on a wall at the property. A security worker also spotted him as he fled. |
| Diamond bracelet | |
| In a statement read out in court, Mr Cowell said he and his partner Lauren Silverman had been "very concerned" for their son Eric after learning about the burglary. | In a statement read out in court, Mr Cowell said he and his partner Lauren Silverman had been "very concerned" for their son Eric after learning about the burglary. |
| He explained the safe had been left open as Ms Silverman was catching a flight in the morning and wanted to "quietly get her jewellery" when she left. | He explained the safe had been left open as Ms Silverman was catching a flight in the morning and wanted to "quietly get her jewellery" when she left. |
| Among the items taken were a ring estimated to be worth £500,000 as well as earrings, watches and a diamond bracelet. | Among the items taken were a ring estimated to be worth £500,000 as well as earrings, watches and a diamond bracelet. |
| February will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday. | February will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday. |