Postie guilty of taking van while drunk

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 yesterday heard Steven Archibald, 24, had been stressed due to being criticised for not taking part in strikes.

When police caught him he smelled strongly of alcohol and officers also found two tablets which he had bought thinking they were Ecstasy. Results proved negative for the drug.

Archibald, of Dalhousie Avenue West, Bonnyrigg, admitted taking a van from the Royal Mail depot, Dalkeith, on 27 September last year. He also admitted driving while more than double the limit, and driving without insurance.

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