The fiancée of a £10 million lottery winner has been jailed after a dramatic police chase ended in a crash, with officers discovering drugs in her vehicle and the woman assaulting them during arrest.
Chantelle O'Dowda, 33, engaged to EuroMillions jackpot winner Matt Topham, was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Lincoln Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple offences including dangerous driving, drug possession, and assaulting emergency workers.
Dramatic Police Pursuit Through Lincolnshire Villages
The incident unfolded when police attempted to stop O'Dowda's black Audi Q3 on the A46 in Lincolnshire. Instead of pulling over, she accelerated away, reaching speeds of 80mph in 30mph zones as she fled through several villages.
During the dangerous pursuit, O'Dowda drove on the wrong side of the road, forced other motorists to take evasive action, and eventually crashed into a police car before being apprehended.
Drugs Discovered and Violent Arrest Struggle
Upon searching her vehicle, officers discovered a quantity of cannabis. The situation escalated dramatically when O'Dowda became violent during arrest, assaulting three police officers by kicking and punching them.
The court heard how the defendant had to be restrained during the violent outburst against the responding officers.
Lottery Winner Partner's Previous Legal Troubles
O'Dowda's partner, Matt Topham, won a £10 million EuroMillions jackpot in 2012 but has himself faced legal difficulties. In 2020, he was given a suspended sentence for causing death by careless driving after a tragic accident that claimed the life of 75-year-old Mary Jane Regler.
The couple, who have been together since meeting at school, share three children and had previously presented an image of domestic bliss despite their substantial wealth.
Sentencing and Consequences
In addition to her prison sentence, O'Dowda was banned from driving for three years and ten months. Judge Simon Hirst noted that her actions had put numerous lives at risk during the police pursuit.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the couple's high profile in the Lincolnshire area, where their lottery win had previously made local headlines.
