14-04-2025
Millionaire's £200k Ferrari destroyed by mice
A Swindon celebrity's £200,000 Ferrari has been destroyed by mice.
Matt Fiddes, Michael Jackson's former bodyguard who has since gone on to own a chain of martial arts schools, says his dream car, a red 355 GTS, was transformed into a '£200k mouse house.'
The 45-year-old, now of Devon, discovered the rodents had chewed through the wiring and ripped apart all his documents after seeking refuge from the cold in winter.
After a trip to the garage, Matt received the blow that his car - which he reckons could have sold for up to £200,000 - is now only worth £1,000.
He added: 'The mice had been living out of my car because it was so cold. They had eaten all of my car's electrics and everything.
'I have lots of other cars, but this one was symbolic to me. It was my little boy's dream. It is sad.
'Those mice have cost me a fortune. It was a £200k mouse house.
'It didn't even cross my mind that rats and mice would try and seek a warm place in the winter inside my beautiful Ferrari.'
The damage caused by the mice (Image: SWNS)
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With parts for the vehicle being so rare, the millionaire has been left with no choice but to scrap it.
He said: 'I had been told it was the best example of a Ferrari 355 in the world. It was like it was brand new.
'I am just glad that my family is safe. I can always buy another Ferrari, just not one with those memories.
'I will stick to the modern cars from now on.'
The car had been Matt's childhood dream and had sentimental value.
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The dad-of-six said: 'I would put posters of that car on my wall to motivate me.
'I still remember the day I picked it up. I was looking at Ferraris in a tracksuit with a cap on. They didn't really take me seriously until I handed them a cheque.
'I just used to stare at it on the driveway and think 'I have done it'. I proved all the bullies wrong, I proved my parents wrong, everyone who doubted me. I had made it.
'As I was building up my franchises I used to drive around the UK in that car and people were impressed.
'People say to me all the time that they wouldn't have bought my franchises if I didn't have that car.'
