Soldier on probation after firearm and theft charges

A SOLDIER with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Borderers, who stole whisky and vodka from a van and was then caught in possession of an imitation firearm, has been placed on probation for 18 months.

Sheriff Deirdre Macneill QC, sitting in Edinburgh today was told that the Army would supervise the probation. She made it a condition of the order that 27-year old Robbie Morrison undergo alcohol counselling and treatment.

Morrison of Firhill Loan, Edinburgh, had pleaded guilty previously to stealing a quantity of whisky and vodka from a van in Oxgangs Broadway on December 5 last year and to being in possession of an imitation gun.

Sentence had been deferred for background reports.

The van had been left unattended when its owner went into a cash and carry. Morrison was seen to enter the vehicle and come out carrying a crate containing half-bottles of whisky and vodka. When witnesses approached him he ran off. The crate proved too heavy so he dropped it and the vodka, but diappeared with the whisky.

He was arrested later by police officers who had been given his description and was found to have the gun in his rucksack.

Defence agent, John Good, said Morrison had served with the Army for over six years and had been due to go to Afghanistan at the time of the offence. The solicitor added that Morrison had a conviction five and a

half years ago for being in unlawful possession of ammunition.

Sheriff Macneill said the weapons-related conviction was worrying, but it appeared that drink was a factor. The reports showed that Morrison was now married with a baby and the relationship was steady.

"That is all to the good" she said. "I don't want to interfere with that".