A drink-driver who smashed into the Suffolk pub famously beloved by music superstar Ed Sheeran has walked free from court after causing catastrophic damage to the historic building.
Charlie Rumble, 28, was nearly twice the legal alcohol limit when he lost control of his BMW and careened into The Fox and Hounds in Framlingham - the very establishment where Sheeran filmed his 'Castle on the Hill' music video and previously worked as a bartender.
Chaotic Scene as Car Ploughs Into Pub
The late-night incident in September last year left the 17th-century pub with approximately £50,000 in structural damage. Emergency services rushed to the scene after Rumble's powerful BMW 120D smashed through the pub's exterior, leaving debris scattered across the property.
"The damage was substantial," reported investigating officers. "This wasn't just a minor scrape - the vehicle caused serious structural harm to a building that holds significant cultural value to the local community."
Shocking Readings and Reckless Speed
Court documents revealed Rumble recorded 63 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit in England and Wales is 35 microgrammes. Witnesses reported the vehicle had been travelling at excessive speed moments before the catastrophic collision.
Ipswich Magistrates' Court heard how the popular drinking establishment, located just three miles from Sheeran's £3 million Suffolk estate, suffered extensive damage to its brickwork and internal structures.
Surprising Court Outcome
Despite the severity of the incident and the substantial financial damage, Rumble received a 12-month community order rather than immediate imprisonment. The sentence includes:
- 150 hours of unpaid work
- 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days
- An 18-month driving ban
- £145 in costs and victim surcharge
The court acknowledged Rumble's early guilty plea to charges of drink-driving and criminal damage, which contributed to the reduced sentence.
Pub's Celebrity Connections
The Fox and Hounds holds special significance in the career of Ed Sheeran, who name-checked the establishment in multiple interviews and featured it prominently in his 2017 hit 'Castle on the Hill'. The Grammy-winning artist worked at the pub before his global fame and frequently returned to visit, making it a pilgrimage site for fans worldwide.
Local residents expressed relief that nobody was injured in the incident but voiced concerns about the sentencing decision. "This pub means so much to our community," one Framlingham resident commented. "It's heartbreaking to see it damaged like this."
The pub's management has since undertaken extensive repairs to restore the historic building to its former glory, with restoration costs approaching the £50,000 mark.
