Lewis afraid to go out after bookstore attack

Leona Lewis is frightened to go out after being attacked by a schizophrenic fan.

The ‘Bleeding Love’ singer – who was punched in the face by Peter Kowalczyk as she signed copies of her autobiography ‘Dreams’ on October 14 – was left “devastated” by the attack and fears she will be assaulted again.

In a witness statement read out in a London court yesterday: “Now I’m very frightened about going out in public.

"I don't know where the next attack will come from and if this will be more serious than what has happened."

The 24-year-old songstress suffered swelling to her face and whiplash after the 29-year-old man with mental health problems attacked her at the Waterstone’s book store in Piccadilly, Central London.

Kowalczyk was in the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London yesterday where he admitted assault and was sentenced by judges.

After telling the courtroom he had not taken his medication prior to the attack, magistrates ordered Kowalczyk to stay in hospital under the Mental Health Act - where he will remain indefinitely.

District Judge Howard Riddle told him: "This is what happens when you don't take your medication. A woman is now devastated."

According to his father Tomasz, the man was a fan of British reality TV show ‘X Factor’ – which Leona won in 2006 – and was jealous of her success.

He said: "He wants to be a singer and went to ‘X Factor’ auditions. How far did he get with it? Nowhere."