Chesterfield man crashed car into truck after knocking back 15 pints

A depressed Newbold man crashed his car into a truck while driving home from the pub after downing 15 pints of beer, a court heard.
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Mark Floyde got behind the wheel after spending two-three hours drowning his sorrows over a friend’s terminal cancer diagnosis.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard how during the day prior to the crash the divorced and “lonely” dad was told by a friend she had just days to live.

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Floyde’s solicitor Steve Brint said less than a fortnight after delivering the bad news she had died.

A witness to the crash in the early hours of October 25 described hearing a “loud bang”, then saw Floyde’s vehicle had crashed into a neighbours truck - which then shunted his van.

Outside he saw Floyde - who was shortly after arrested and taken to hospital - with a cut to his head.

The 48-year-old was found to be more than four times over the drink-drive limit and later told police he could not remember what caused him to swerve and crash.

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Floyde’s solicitor Steve Brint told magistrates how Floyde “sat alone” and “drank alone” in the pub the evening before the crash after a “difficult day”.

Mark Floyde, 48, got behind the wheel after spending two-three hours drowning his sorrows over a friend’s terminal cancer diagnosisMark Floyde, 48, got behind the wheel after spending two-three hours drowning his sorrows over a friend’s terminal cancer diagnosis
Mark Floyde, 48, got behind the wheel after spending two-three hours drowning his sorrows over a friend’s terminal cancer diagnosis
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The solicitor said Floyde had lived an “extremely difficult and lonely existence” during lockdown and was receiving treatment for anxiety and depression.

Having separated from his wife of 16 years during a “difficult” divorce five years previously the Newbold man was also estranged from his children and grandchildren and was made redundant during the pandemic.

Mr Brint said: “It was around this time last year when a lot of people were made redundant - Mr Floyde was one of them and was virtually a prisoner in his own home allowed out for just one hour a day.

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“It affected him greatly - he is so ashamed he hasn’t told his mother.”

Floyde’s solicitor said he had left the car at the pub and walked home – however later on in the evening during a second walk and feeling “fine to drive” he collected the vehicle while passing.

Floyde, of St Johns Road, admitted driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

He was banned for 19 months, fined £120 and made to pay £85 court costs and £34 victim surcharge.

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