Johnny Scott caused £24k worth of damage when he crashed his car into the palace gates(Image: PA)

Man admits ploughing car into Buckingham Palace causing £24,000 in damage

Johnny Scott, 26, smashed his car into the gates of Buckingham Palace whilst in a 'fidgety and dazed' state - before armed police arrived on scene and arrested him

by · The Mirror

A man has admitted to smashing his car into the main entrance of Buckingham Palace - causing more than £24,000 worth of damage.

Johnny Scott, 26, ploughed his VW Polo into the palace's south centre gate in the early hours of March 9 last year, Westminster Magistrates Court heard. Scott, of Dalewood Close in Hornchurch, east London, appeared in a "figdety and dazed" state during the crash and was arrested by armed cops before being taken to hospital.

The collision caused £24,493 worth of damage to Buckingham Palace's black iron gates, the court was told. On Thursday, Scott appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a criminal damage charge. Prosecutor Laila Cunningham said: "He did appear fidgety and dazed and said 'I have to fix this and these c****'. He did not elaborate on these statements. He is of good character."

No members of the royal family were in residence when the crash occured, a palace spokesman confirmed at the time.

Scott was arrested by armed officers( Image: SWNS)
Workmen were called to remove the car( Image: PA)

The Metropolitan Police also said there were no reports of any injuries relating to the collision. In court, Scott was told by district judge Annabel Pilling that he may be unlikely to face prison, and that a community-based penalty could be an "appropriate" sentence. She said: "You have entered a guilty plea today. You will be given credit for that as you have given a guilty plea at a very early opportunity."

Medical reports were ordered before Scott's next appearance at the same court on February 13 and he was released on conditional bail. On the night of the crash, armed officers from the Metropolitan Police arrested Scott on suspicion of criminal damage, and he was taken to hospital and sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The force said it was not treating the incident, which happened at around 02:30am on Saturday, March 9, as terror related. At the time, the Met said in a statement: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances."

The following day, workmen were called to remove the car while scaffolding, wooden boards and bolts were erected in front of the gate as tourists continued to explore the landmark.