Hibs footballer Paul Grant banned for drink-driving

A Hibs footballer has been banned from driving for a year after pleading guilty to crashing a car after drinking twice the legal alcohol limit.

Paul Grant, the club's under-19 goalkeeper, also admitted having no insurance when he crashed in Gilmerton Road in the city on 27 March 2011.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how Grant had been at a house party when he crashed a friend's car into railings.

A breath test showed 72 micrograms of alcohol. The limit is 35 micrograms.

Grant was also fined £435.

Defence solicitor, Kathleen More, said Grant's 18th birthday had been only four days before the incident and he had been celebrating that at a friend's house.

As a professional sportsman, she said, he was not in the habit of drinking.

She said: "He is very ashamed that he has let his club and family down."

She added that Grant would face a disciplinary hearing by Hibs and was liable to be fined by them.

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