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A drunk driver in England crashed into the Prime Minister's official country residence, Chequers, causing £40,000 worth of damage.
Matthew Wootten deliberately approached the main gate of the 16th-century Chequers estate in Buckinghamshire at high speed. Security camera footage shows his Volkswagen Scirocco crashing into the 80-year-old iron railings, sending them flying.
Wootten then collided with security posts, and smoke was seen rising from the hood of his damaged vehicle. The white car from the 1990s was rendered unusable at the property, which serves as the Prime Minister's official country residence.
Wootten, who was arrested at the scene, had numerous cans of alcoholic beverages in his vehicle. A test revealed that his blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit.
Wootten, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, criminal damage, and driving under the influence at Reading Crown Court, was sentenced to 32 months in prison and had his driving license revoked for 40 months.
Wootten, who was seriously injured in the crash, was taken to the hospital. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was not at the estate at the time of the incident.
Chequers, a Grade I listed historic building used by prime ministers since 1921, was donated to the state by Sir Arthur Lee.
The police stated that there was no intention to cause any damage in the incident. Prosecutor Celia Mardon noted that the security camera footage showed Wootten deliberately speeding towards the estate's gate, and combined with his high alcohol level, this evidence left the defendant with no option but to plead guilty.
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