Porter stole £7,000 of hotel booze

A FORMER night porter who stole £7,000 worth of alcohol from one of Edinburgh's most prestigious hotels before quitting his job has been jailed for 218 days.

Alan Weir, 26, used his security card to open Prestonfield House Hotel's cellar and took 15 bottles of wine and spirits.

He handed in his notice later that night but was caught on CCTV and tracked down.

Sheriff John Horsburgh QC told Weir: "The value of the goods you stole was very significant here and your record shows you have several previous convictions."

He added that the sentence would have been eight months if Weir had not pleaded guilty.

At an earlier hearing, fiscal depute Aidan Higgins told Edinburgh Sheriff Court the theft came to light three days later during a standard check and Weir was easily identified when CCTV footage was checked.

Mr Higgins said when police visited his home they were directed to a cupboard where the alcohol was being stashed.

Weir, of Gilmerton Dykes Avenue, admitted forcing open a wine cellar by means of a keycard and stealing a quantity of alcohol on 3 January this year.