In a bid to drive home the danger of drink and drug driving, Staffordshire Police have shared the story of Mark Plimmer and Charalambos Nicolaou.

The two men went out to enjoy themselves on Christmas Eve but only one returned home.

Plimmer, 29 and of Blythe Bridge, is now serving an 18 year sentence after being convicted of death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

PC Jon Stant said: "If you're down the pub, make sure you're the one challenging your friends who might think a few pints will be fine to get behind the wheel, or if they're taking drugs and they think they can handle it.

"By working together, we can bring a stop to those who could be the next Mark Plimmer, and more importantly, save the life of someone who could be the next Charalambos Nicolaou."

Charalambos Nicolaou (Credit: Staffordshire Police)

On December 24, 2023, Plimmer went out boozing at different pubs in Tean and Stoke-on-Trent.

At about 7pm, he got in his car and drove at more than double the speed limit before crashing into another car on Uttoxeter Road in Draycott-in-the-Moors.

Charalambos, 62, was just getting into that car when Plimmer hit him.

He was visiting from Cyprus with his daughter and had just finished eating at a nearby restaurant.

Because of Plimmer's drink driving, Charalambos never got to see Christmas that year. He died at the scene.

Charalambos' two friends who were also getting into the other car when it happened were left with serious injuries.

Plimmer ran off and was found hiding in a bush nearby.

He told police he had nothing to do with it, that Mark Plimmer wasn't his name and that he was innocent.

He laughed at the officers, telling them they'd got the wrong person, showing absolutely no remorse despite knowing he'd just taken someone's life on Christmas Eve.

Mark Plimmer (Credit: Staffordshire Police)

On his way to custody, Plimmer said: "You've got 24 hours to charge me. With a burnt-out car, you've got nothing."

However, he was charged on Christmas Day as Charalambos' family tried to come to terms with their loss.

Following an extensive investigation, Staffordshire Police gathered enough evidence to make it impossible for Plimmer's lies to deceive any longer.

He was convicted of death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was jailed for 18 years in September last year.

PC Stant added: "This case just goes to show how incredibly damaging drink and drug driving can be.

"We've had cases where people have shown remorse. They've told us that it was never their intention to get behind the wheel while under the influence of a substance, but one thing led to another and things got out of control. We've had others, like Plimmer, who showed absolutely no regard for those around him that night. He thought drink driving was fine and that he'd get away with it.

"No matter which side of the coin you fall, you are wrong every single time. Drink and drug driving devastates the lives of families forever and cannot be undone. That is why we are so determined to put a stop to it in Staffordshire."