Simon Cowell confronts Brick-Wielding Intruder in London Home

The normally unflappable Simon Cowell was said to be terrified after an alarming incident Saturday night when he came face to face with an intruder wielding a brick in his west London home. Leanne Zaloumis, 29, thought to be an overzealous fan, was subdued by the X Factor judge's on-site security team. She was later charged with trespassing on the property and intending to "inflict grievous bodily harm upon a person therein." Cowell spokesman Max Clifford told the Sun that his client heard a loud bang and rushed upstairs to investigate.

"It came from the bathroom, so he went in – and there was a woman standing there holding a brick," Clifford said. "She had smashed her way in through the window, and it was unclear how long she had been there or what she was doing." Clifford added: "It was a very frightening experience for Simon, who told me it was like something from a horror movie." A rep for Cowell declined to comment to PEOPLE, but it is officially now a police matter.Zaloumis, of Catford is southeast London, was due to appear at West London Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The TV boss, 52, said it was "like something from a horror film" when he was confronted by the woman, thought to be an "over-zealous" fan, at his London home. 

The Britain's Got Talent and X Factor chief was left terrified by the intruder who broke in while he was watching himself on the box. 

Police rushed to his home to arrest the woman, who was armed with a brick — but a pal said last night: "She could have had a gun."

The drama happened on Saturday night, shortly after the latest BGT series went head-to-head in a ratings battle with new BBC rival The Voice.

Cowell was settling down to watch his appearance on ITV1's Jonathan Ross show when he heard a noise.

His spokesman Max Clifford said: "There was a loud bang and Simon rushed upstairs to find out what was going on.

"It came from the bathroom so he went in — and there was a woman standing there holding a brick.

"She had smashed her way in through the window and it was unclear how long she had been there or what she was doing."

Cowell's on-site security team arrived on the scene and detained the woman until police arrived to arrest her.

She was taken to a police station and is believed to have been examined by a psychiatrist, which is normal procedure in such cases.

Mr Clifford added: "It was a very frightening experience for Simon, who told me it was like something from a horror movie.

"He was just very lucky that all she had was a brick. She could have had a knife, a gun or any other weapon."

It is understood Cowell does not know the woman, and she is not believed to be one of the fans and hangers-on who gather outside his West London mansion.

Cowell is now stepping up security at his London base, where he stays when not at his other home in Los Angeles. 

 

His London home, worth an estimated £9 million, has a hi-tech security system. It is managed by a team of staff including his housekeeper, who was present at the time.

Sources believe the woman is an "over-zealous fan" — and said the incident would upset Cowell, who is known for greeting the public.

An insider said: "Simon is one of the biggest stars in the world but he is very much a people person and doesn't walk around surrounded by big, burly bodyguards.

"He makes a point of shaking hands and speaking to people when he's going about his business. This is bound to make him more wary about being so open with strangers." It is not the first time Cowell has suffered a security scare.

He "freaked out" after finding a tracking device under his £140,000 Bentley in 2008.

Cowell became suspicious after a mysterious biker began following him. A listening bug had earlier been found in the BGT studio.

- A WOMAN of 29 was last night charged with aggravated burglary at Cowell's home, police said.

Leanne Zaloumis, of Catford, South East London, was in custody last night and is due to appear at West London Magistrates' Court today.