ONE of two men threatening to jump off a motorway bridge ended up in court.

Depressed Scott McGhie, 31, had been on the precipice not only of the bridge, but of life, according to his solicitor - who added he thought the police were there to help and not to bring such people before the magistrates.

McGhie, of Milton Street, Brierfield, admitted being drunk and disorderly and was conditionally discharged for 12 months.

The bench told him he had been very silly and could have killed himself.

Joanne Shahzada, prosecuting, said the defendant was sitting over the fence on the bridge, above the M65 at Brierfield, with his legs hanging over a 100 feet drop.

He was with another man and both were threatening to jump. Both were drinking, had glazed eyes and police who were called to the scene decided they were drunk.

Miss Shahzada said the defendant appeared to be in charge and the other man flopped forward.

Eventually officers managed to talk them down and the men climbed over the fence and were arrested.

John Rusius, defending, said McGhie, who had a partner and child, had had problems in the past but thought they were behind him.

He had not been in court since 1997, had been a registered alcoholic but had settled down.

Mr Rusius said McGhie's medication was changed the day before the offence and he had had an adverse reaction after taking alcohol. He was drunk and, more particularly, anxious and depressed.