14 DAY TRIAL // Singer Leona Lewis was left “terribly shaken” the other day at a London book signing, when a male “fan” asked her to sign a copy of her autobiography, and then reached out and punched her in the face. The man was arrested on the spot and, as People magazine informs, the police have made his identity public: he is 29-year-old Peter Kowalczyk, presumably once an X Factor contestant, and he has a history of mental problems.
The incident occurred at the Waterstones book store at Piccadilly, London, as Lewis was doing a tour stop to promote and sign copies of her book, “Dreams.” Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, the police say, when the man attacked the singer. However, eyewitnesses said they saw that he had some sort of mental issues right then and there, since he was still laughing when the police knocked him to the ground, as if he had done something “awesome.”
Kowalczyk is currently under involuntary hold in a mental institution, pending psychological evaluation. “A 29-year-old ‘fan’ was charged Thursday with assault and placed in an area for prisoners with mental-health issues after punching singer Leona Lewis at a book signing in London Wednesday, police say.” People explains. The attacker’s parents have also spoken to the British media, saying he wanted “revenge” on Lewis for winning X Factor, when he didn’t even make it through the auditions. They also claim he has a long history of mental problems.
In light of the attack, Lewis, who was seen by a doctor but did not require hospitalization, had to cancel another promo visit in Germany. She has also apologized to her fans who had come to the book store in London for not being able to meet them all, as she was escorted from the venue – literally in tears – immediately after the attack. “Yesterday was a horrible shock and left me extremely hurt and upset. I’m very sorry to those I wasn’t able to meet at the signing.” Leona says in a statement.
Scotland Yard adds that Kowalczyk has been charged with common assault and “sectioned under the Mental Health Act.” He is scheduled to appear in court on October 26.