Music mogul Simon Cowell has likened his terrifying home invasion scare to a "horror movie" after he found a woman in his house armed with a brick.
Leanne Zaloumis, 29, from Catford, south London, was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary after allegedly breaking into Cowell's $14.4 million (£9 million) west London home on Saturday night (24Mar12).
She reportedly entered the house in the posh area of Holland Park after smashing a downstairs window with a brick before coming face-to-face with the shocked TV talent judge.
Cowell's spokesperson, Max Clifford, says, "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. 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."
Zaloumis was apprehended by members of Cowell's security team and is being held in police custody ahead of an appearance at West London magistrates court on Monday (26Mar12).