Woman sentenced for Simon Cowell break-in

London - A British woman who used a brick to smash a window at the London home of X Factor creator Simon Cowell and was found inside his walk-in wardrobe was handed a 12-month community order on Thursday.

Leanne Zaloumis, 30, was told she would have to have to submit to mental health treatment and be monitored by officials following the incident at the music mogul's mansion in March.

Sentencing her at London's Isleworth Crown Court, judge Robert Winstanley also issued a restraining order against her approaching Cowell.

Cowell, 52, was not present at the hearing.

Zaloumis, from London, had last month admitted being in possession of a brick with the intent to damage or destroy property, and breaking a window at the house in the city's plush Holland Park district.

Hiding in the wardrobe

Cowell had been watching television in his bedroom on 24 March when he heard a loud bang coming from his bathroom and called his staff.

The police were called and arrived at the house to find Zaloumis hiding in the wardrobe, the court heard.

Known for his acerbic criticism of lacklustre talent show performers, Cowell claims to have worked with artists selling more than 180 million albums and more than 150 number one records.

Cowell's joint venture with Sony, Syco Entertainment, owns the X Factor and Got Talent formats.

The mogul is scheduled to return as a judge for the second series of The X Factor USA in September.