Lottery winner puts 40ft mobile home on bonfire

The Telegraph ^ | 11.7.03

[mhking]

A persistent offender who won almost £10 million on the National Lottery has brought fresh misery to his neighbours by burning a 40-foot mobile home as the centrepiece of a huge bonfire party.

Michael Carroll

As 20-year-old Michael Carroll celebrated with the massive pyre in a field at his home in rural Norfolk, the surrounding area was smothered in flying embers and choking smoke that left one neighbour suffering an asthma attack.

Firemen called to the scene when it was feared that sparks and burning debris threatened properties in the area, were mocked by the partygoers.

People living around Carroll's five-bedroom, detached home near Swaffham, locked themselves in their houses as the countryside was enveloped in smoke and four dogs had to be sedated by a vet because of the noise from fireworks.

But at least Carroll - currently wearing an electronic tag to enforce a curfew imposed by a court for his failure to complete community service - did not burn a boat and two cars that were originally piled on the 30-foot bonfire.

Carroll, a former dustman, was nicknamed the "Lotto Lout" by the tabloids after he won £9.7 million with the first lottery ticket he bought. He made his neighbours' lives a misery earlier this year by staging late-night banger races on the three-acre field where he held the bonfire.

Breckland District Council served two enforcement notices on him, banning him from causing a nuisance with noise and smoke on his land but he had, apparently, informed the authority of his intention to burn the mobile home on Nov 5.

Sid Skeat, 36, a builder who lives next door to Carroll, said yesterday: "The council's attitude was that it was Bonfire Night and there was nothing that they could do about it because people were entitled to celebrate."

Ruth Leeks, 34, who lives two doors away suffered an asthma attack as she ushered her son Luke, nine, indoors.

Carroll, who has been in court more than 30 times for a variety of offences, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

[mhking]

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[ReaganandDubyaForever]

Maybe he can use the money for his bail.

[CARepubGal]

I guess Trailer Trash is trailer trash no matter where the trailer is..... ;-)

[July 4th]

It seems idiots always win the lottery, but usually they're benign ones. This case is different.

[stands2reason]

Wow. That is just how I pictured him.

[Ruth A.]

Looks like he's a product of inbreeding, IMHO.

[GeronL]

Yea!!!

Maybe someone could start a UK rednecks ping list? haha

If I won, I think I'd have burned down this apartment complex... um.. no... I can't do that since I don't it.

...((thinks))...

His FIRST lotto ticket??????

[GeronL]

..don't own it

[concerned about politics]

Some people just aren't meant to have money. Their brains just aren't wired for it.

[lunatic12]

Well, it was Guy Fawkes day after all. I'm surprised the article only mentions it as "Bonfire Night". Has Guy Fawkes become politically incorrect?

[Tribune7]

They have trailer parks in England? Polyester curtains and redwood decks?

Wow. How about tornados.

[Tribune7]

"The council's attitude was that it was Bonfire Night and there was nothing that they could do about it because people were entitled to celebrate."

Just Damn is right

[gov_bean_ counter]

Just one more reason why first cousins shouldn't marry.

[martin_fierro]

As 20-year-old Michael Carroll celebrated with the massive pyre in a field at his home in rural Norfolk

This guy oughtta relocate to rural Dumbfolk.

[Ahban]

Yikes! Looks like he belongs in "A Clockwork Orange".

[gov_bean_ counter]

Or whitewater rafting in East Tennessee.

[ladyinred]

He rather looks like his family tree doesn't fork. Who will he leave his money too? His uncle daddy?

[Grampa7030]

I was in London this year on Guy Fawkes Day and there were more fireworks than Independence Day here and they go on for days with the Fifth of November the largest displays. We saw many huge bonfire piles in outlying towns - an excuse to burn leaves which normally are not allowed is what we were told. It is strange to be celebrating an attempt to blow up Parliament, but most of the people we talked to thought he was framed.

[BraveMan]

I give up. What is a Banger Race?