Cowell break-in suspect appears in court

A woman has appeared in court accused of breaking in to Simon Cowell's home wielding a broken brick.

Leanne Zaloumis (aged 29) is charged with trespassing on the music supremo's west London property before smashing his bathroom window and hiding in his walk-in wardrobe.

She spoke only to confirm her name and address - Brownhill Road, Catford - as she was remanded in custody at West London Magistrates' Court for her case to be heard by a crown court judge.

Cowell was watching TV in his bedroom when he heard a "loud bang" coming from his bathroom, prosecutors claim.

Zaloumis was taken to Notting Hill police station after being found in Cowell's mansion, the charge says.

The 52-year-old 'X-Factor' judge called his staff and was taken back to his bedroom during the incident at around 10.30pm on Saturday night.

The charge against Zaloumis, read out in court, said she intended to "inflict grievous bodily harm upon a person therein and at the time of committing the said burglary had with you a weapon of offence, namely a broken house brick".

The defendant, who appeared in the dock with unkempt hair and a baggy grey sweatshirt, is accused of shouting at Cowell and hurling items at his bathroom window while standing on a roof outside.

Police drew their weapons as they arrested her at the property after being called by staff, prosecutor Paul Mitchell said.

After she was arrested in a wardrobe of the property, officers found blood marks in the bathroom.

Cowell was not among the packed public and press gallery in court.

Zaloumis will appear again at Isleworth Crown Court on June 12, District Judge James Henderson said.