Cat and Fiddle drink-driver was planning to drive off cliff

Police tracked down a drink-driver who had been planning to take his own life by driving off a cliff.
The Cat and Fiddle route from Buxton to Macclesfield.The Cat and Fiddle route from Buxton to Macclesfield.
The Cat and Fiddle route from Buxton to Macclesfield.

Mark Grindey, 25, of St James Terrace, Buxton, was found over the drink-drive limit in his car in a field near the Cat and Fiddle road near Macclesfield, according to a Chesterfield magistrates’ court hearing.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop told the hearing on Tuesday, May 9: “Police received a report of a male consuming alcohol and that he had driven to the Cat and Fiddle area of Macclesfield threatening to take his own life.

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“Officers said they saw vehicle off-road in a field and Grindey was in the car and he was described as being co-operative and he told officers he had been drinking and was over the limit.”

Grindey told police he was suffering with depression and been drinking at home and before going out with friends in Buxton and he had consumed nine bottles of Budweiser.

He added that he had a key in his pocket so he took the car and went to the Cat and Fiddle.

Grindey also told police that he had thought about driving off a cliff but he changed his mind after getting to the location and said it was stupid.

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The defendant registered 75microgrammes of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35microgrammes.

Grindey pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit.

He told the court: “I am sorry. I was an idiot and it’s all I can say to be honest.”

Magistrates fined Grindey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

He was also disqualified from driving for 20 months but this could be reduced by 22 weeks if the defendant completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.