Drunk postie took Royal Mail van due to 'stress'

A POSTIE decided to take a Royal Mail van to get home after he had been out drinking but was caught when he was seen attempting to pull-out of the depot.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court today heard Steven Archibald, 24, had been stressed out due to not taking part in strikes last year.

He had been out drinking after being jibed by colleagues and returned to the depot and took the vehicle.

Fiscal depute Lisa Welsh said: "It was about 10.50pm that he was seen trying to pull away from the Royal Mail depot.

"There were also a number of traffic cones which he was trying to pull away from.

"A person nearby walked up to the vehicle as they had concerns for the driver and they saw that the engine was running and he switched it off.

"After checking on his welfare, the person then contacted the police given that he had collided with the traffic cones and it might be connected to an alarm going off at the depot."

When police caught up with Archibald they found he smelled strongly of alcohol and was slurring his words.

Officers also found two tablets which Archibald had bought thinking they were ecstasy but results proved negative for the drug.

Archibald, of Dalhousie Avenue West, Bonnyrigg, admitted taking a van from the Royal Mail Depot, Eskbank Road, Dalkeith, on 27 September last year.

He also admitted driving while more than double the limit, without insurance and attempting to be in possession of ecstasy.

Defence agent Jim Grant said: "These offences had their origin in Royal Mail disputes.

"He is from a post office family and decided it wasn't in his own interest to go on strike and carried on working but he became ignored and abused which led to a lot of stress."

The court heard Archibald had gone out drinking and in the course of the evening bought the tablets.

Mr Grant also said Archibald, who had not been a drug user, had got his life back in order and was now working as an assistant manager in a restaurant.

Sheriff Frank Crowe told first offender Archibald: "You got yourself in a bit of a mess that day and taking a van could have endangered others."

He fined him 600 and banned him from driving for 18 months.