Pic:Darren February was convicted of carrying out a £1million raid on Simon Cowell's home
Crime reporter(wp/es):
A killer who carried out a £1 million raid on Simon Cowell’s luxury mansion as the music mogul and his family slept upstairs has been found guilty of burglary.
Darren February, 33, forced his way into the five-bed property in Holland Park through patio doors to steal a stash of jewellery and two passports.
Just ten days later, he knocked down and killed 52-year-old Kenneth Baldwin with his car while racing at speeds of up to 60mph through Holland Park.
CCTV showed callous February chatting casually on his mobile phone and attempting to strip the scene of evidence while Mr Baldwin lay dying on the ground nearby.
February was jailed for eight and a half years in May last year for causing death by dangerous driving, and was then linked to the raid on Mr Cowell's home.
He broke in to the £10 million mansion on December 4, 2015, while Mr Cowell was upstairs sleeping with partner Lauren Silverman and their young son Eric.
February evaded private guard Simon Williams, who is believed to have been on the toilet, and emptied a safe which had been left open.
A passport stolen in the raid belonging to the music mogul was later recovered from a recycling facility in Wandsworth.
February denied being behind the raid but a Jury at Isleworth crown court took less than an hour to find him guilty of one charge of burglary.
He shook his head as the verdict was delivered, but it then emerged February is a prolific burglar who has carried out 37 separate raids on wealthy home owners around west London.
He has a criminal record dating back to when he was just 12, and has convictions for 58 offences including crimes of burglary, assault and theft.
February was jailed for four years in 2013 for assault, affray, criminal damage and a number of thefts.
He was linked to the raid on Simon Cowell’s house through CCTV and DNA left at the scene.
Among the stolen jewellery were watches worth £200,000, diamond rings worth £500,000, diamond earrings valued at £220,000 and diamond bracelets worth £50,000. Most of the items have not been recovered.
February, of no fixed address but formerly of Octavia House, North Kensington, denied but was convicted of burglary.
He was remanded in custody until sentencing on Wednesday morning.
