Man Admits Causing £24,000 of Damage to Buckingham Palace Gates

A man has admitted to causing over £24,000 worth of damage after crashing his car into the gates of Buckingham Palace in Westminster. Johnny Scott, 26, from Hornchurch, east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Incident Details

The incident occurred in the early hours of March 9, 2024, at around 2:30 a.m., when Scott drove his Volkswagen Polo into the south center gate of the royal residence. Witnesses reported hearing a “loud bang” as the vehicle struck the gates, causing £24,493 worth of damage. The gates, adorned with scaffolding and wooden panels, remain under repair.

Armed officers responded to the scene and arrested Scott, who appeared “fidgety and dazed” at the time. According to prosecutor Laila Cunningham, Scott made incoherent statements, saying, “I have to fix this and these c****,” but did not elaborate further. No members of the royal family were in residence during the crash, and no injuries were reported.

Court Appearance

During the court proceedings, District Judge Annabel Pilling informed Scott that a community-based penalty might be more appropriate than a prison sentence. “You will be given credit for entering a guilty plea at an early opportunity,” the judge noted.

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