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First pictures and video from inside the gate-crashed party that caused mayhem at the Manor
Last updated at 01:07am on 18.03.08The first pictures have emerged from inside a massive party where 2,000 gatecrashers arrived after a Radio 1 DJ mentioned it on air.
Thousands of revellers descended on the country manor, smashing windows, ripping up carpets, destroying chandeliers and ripping doors off their hinges.
Grammar-school girl Sarah Ruscoe had invited fellow sixth-formers to the fancy-dress event at her 21-bedroom family home, and was said to be "inconsolable" when 2,000 gatecrashers arrived after Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong mentioned it on his programme.
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Chaos: The party-goers rip apart a sofa
Today Rebecca Brooks, Sarah's mother said that parties at the mansion for her three daughters - who are 24, 17 and 19 - would definitely be a thing of the past.
"The daughters will not be having anymore parties here," she said. "That is off the agenda for the next 10 years.
"The daughter is in the doghouse but I don't blame her entirely. "I blame the modern means of communication.
"She feels terrible, she is absolutely mortified by the whole thing."
The party hostess: Sarah Ruscoe in her dominatrix outfit
But yesterday Sarah admitted she had known the party would get out of hand and chose not to warn her mother of what might happen on Friday night.
Sarah, who dressed as a dominatrix for the evening, said it had become clear to her that crowds would descend on her Georgian mansion, Colehayes, near Bovey Tracey in Devon.
The house, in 20 acres, is used as a field study centre for schools and universities and is also a popular venue for weddings and parties.
It is run by Sarah's mother and stepfather, Rebecca and Bill Brooks, and has accommodation for 70 plus a licensed bar.
"To say things got out of hand is probably an understatement," said Sarah, who is not 18 until October but decided to have her party early after a booking for Colehayes was cancelled.
"I put up a poster at school inviting everyone".
Little did I know that almost everyone from Torquay Grammar sixth form would attend and invite "everyone" from different schools and the surrounding area.
"A large circle of friends, social networking sites and even the radio make communication that much more efficient."
She continued: "I soon realised it was spiralling out of control but tried to reassure myself with the fact that people can decide for various reasons not to attend.
"I spread rumours in other schools that the party was cancelled, which obviously didn't work.
"By the last day I felt physically ill with worry but chose to keep my mother in denial for her own sake.
"Nothing could be done at this point. I was dreading the night but didn't expect it to turn out as bad as it did.
"When it seemed like people would never stop coming and there was a line of headlights up our drive, I knew how out of hand it really had become.
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Fancy dress: The youngsters are intent on clowning around
24 hour party people: Everyone from the Village People to Vikings look to be in attendance
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Anyone for tennis? This youngster is looking to make a racquet
You looking at me? These two look to have come all the way from France
When police arrived at the house they were pelted with glass as they tried to get the revellers to leave.
The family had hired four bouncers for the evening but Mrs Brooks, 54, said they did not stand a chance against the invading hordes.
"I can only liken it to a rock festival. They were jumping up an down with cans and bottles, spraying them around as if they were at a rave.
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The swarm: Police arrive to deal with gatecrashers outside Colehayes. It was not until they brought the dogs in that they all dispersed
The revellers: Boy in a fat suit leads the entertainment
But there was no music because the DJ we had hired did not even get a chance to set up.
"The people that came were a bunch of strangers behaving like they had been invited because Pete Tong had told them that everyone was welcome.
"Half of them arrived here drunk – there were girls walking around with bottles of vodka, drinking them like normal people drink bottles of Coke. It was awash with alcohol. And they were smoking cannabis spliffs.
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Rebecca Brooks begins tidying up after gatecrashers leave her house a wreck
Mirrors were smashed and pictures torn off the walls as the party got out of hand. Bouncers hired by the family were said to have 'no chance'
"Some people were taking pictures off the walls and just breaking them.
"I just don't know what gets into these people. They began behaving like animals.
"One charcoal portrait of my husband's great grandfather was just smashed. It is a family heirloom with enormous sentimental value.
"We saw various garments everywhere – trousers, knickers and underpants. I was also told there were streakers down the drive.
"These people didn't take any notice of anyone. It was only when the police dogs arrived that they took any notice."
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Hundreds of gatecrashers turned up uninvited at the family's manor house Colehayes Park in Newton Abbot
The sumptuous interior of the huge house was left in tatters
She and her 75-year-old husband are considering suing the BBC for allowing details of the party to be broadcast across the nation – especially if it affects their business.
Tong's mention of it was an example of what is known on the programme as a "shout-out".
The 47-year-old DJ's name is popular rhyming slang for "gone wrong", as in "It's all gone Pete Tong".
He told listeners: "We're getting ready for a huge mansion-house party, 500 plus people going. It's in Bovey Tracey, Devon.
"Anyone who's listening can come along apparently – just say Hi to Marilyn Monroe on the door."
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Rubbish was strewn throughout the house
The carpets were ruined and picture frames smashed
Mrs Brooks said: "I was flabbergasted and astonished that the BBC could be so irresponsible. I was aghast at Pete Tong.
"I am furious and beside myself with anger and rage. The BBC are going to seriously have to look at their policy.
"This is ridiculous. This was supposed to be a party for all my daughter's schoolfriends and it should not have been announced on Radio One.
Damage: Bottles fill bins and recycling containers
"I'm amazed that the BBC has not been in touch to apologise and I am expecting an apology from Pete Tong in a personal phone call.
"It was totally negligent of the BBC to allow a statement like that to be broadcast"
A BBC spokesman said: "Pete did not specify the name or address of the venue, but read out details of a mansion party taking place in Bovey Tracey sent in by a listener.
"He gives shout-outs on his show every week and he would never knowingly give an identifiable address for a private party.
"It's also worth noting that details of the party appear to have been posted on the internet several days before the party."
Reader views (12)
Sarah brooks must get most of the blame ,not Pete Tong, its also stupid serving alcohol to under 18s.
How stupid putting up posters and advertising on facebook.
- Nick Monk, United Kingdom
I dearly hope the family successfully litigates their case against the BBC and the radio disc jockey. Perhaps the family shares blame due to the complete lack of social responsibility and moral integrity manifest by their daughter. What do you say about the party goers? Amoral,unethical and imbecilic animals.
- Phil H., Wichita Falls USA
It was a good party!
- Kirsty, devon
It is sad that so many people nowadays think it is cool to get high on booze and drugs and vandalise a place where they are guests, invited or not.
Life is potentially full of satisfying activities that these dim-witted people (often, as here, well educated) pass by in favour of excessive consumption of mind altering substances and loutish behaviour.
Luckily not everyone does this sort of thing!
- George Barker, Ringwood, England
Looks like the house was ready for a refurbishment anyway.
It appears to me that you´ve allowed the house to get
trashed for a big insurance claim.
Next thing will be your daughter gaining celebrity status
(maybe D or E list) and doing Richard and Judy,The One show,
Jonothan Ross. Wow the possibilities are endless.
And after all that your house will be like new and you
can get top dollar for renting it out. Brilliant!
- Mark, Germany
A more irresponsible and foolish mother it would be difficult to imagine, setting aside allowing your daughter to dress up as a dominatrix. Has she never watched "Ten Things I Hate About You"?
However she is entitled to sue the BBC - just give the names of those people who specifically caused the damage and prove that they heard about the party only through the BBC.
- Richard Grantham, Taunton
Hilarious. I think the house looks great with all that broken glass and stuff. Next time, try not to phone a radio station to announce your party, love.
- Neil, london uk
Its nice to see that all the cans and bottles are placed in the correct recycling bins! Well done mum !
- Martin Robinson, Hook, Hampshire
"I put up a poster at school inviting everyone".
Ahhhh, so obviously it would be Pete Tongs fault then? No chance that advertising the event to all and sundry might have exacerbated the problem?
- A Wurzel, Torquay, UK
Ha! Sure did go a bit Pete Tong didn't it? It's hardly his fault.
- Real, London, UK
Yet again the police seem to be reluctant to deal with this. No wonder these people continue to act like - they know nothing will be done. However, borrow a traffic cone, or ride a bicycle with ill matching socks and you will find armed police on your doorstep.
- Patrick Griffin, Dalston, UK
Gatecrashing is bad. The girl looks like an idiot asking for trouble.
The house, nice and big on the outside holds its former glory. Inside looks old and tired with fireplaces that any modern family would put in a skip straight away. The furniture look like they are from a charity shop and the carpets were probably smelly - long before the party.
In these pictures there is not one decent piece of furniture that one would find and salvage from a car boot sale.
The whole thing seems staged and the girl a not so bad actress. Wonder if the mum has already made an insurance claim.
Things like that make our premiums rise - just a thought.
- Lily Stakefield, Devizes, Wiltshire
