Hibs starlet drunk behind wheel fined

A YOUNG Hibs footballer has been fined £435 and banned from driving for a year after pleading guilty to crashing a friend's car while more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Under-19 goalkeeper Paul Grant of Moredunvale Way, Edinburgh, also admitted having no insurance when the accident occurred in Gilmerton Road in the city on March 27 this year.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday fiscal depute Adrian Cottam said Grant had been at a house party when he took a friend's car and ended up crashing into railings. His breath was found to contain 72 microgrammes of alcohol. The limit is 35.

Defence solicitor Kathleen More said Grant's 18th birthday had been only four days before the incident. He had been celebrating that at a friend's house. She added: "He is very ashamed that he has let his club and family down."

Sheriff Graeme Warner allowed Grant to pay the fine at 40 a month.