A man was last week convicted by an Inverness court for stealing a van and attempting to drive home without van insurance.

35-year-old Bryan Garrick had been sacked from his job and was said to be four times over the legal drink-drive limit at the time of committing the offence.

He was to have spent time downing his sorrows before going ahead to steal the van from Maple Court Hotel car park, in Ballifeary Lane, early last week.

Garrick was stopped by police while driving along the A82 between Inverness and Torvean Quarry, after the van had been involved in an accident in Ballifeary Road.

Appearing in court to face the charges the man pleaded guilty to driving without insurance cover and being four times over the legal drink-drive limit.

He also admitted to taking the van without the consent of its owner and driving while disqualified.

He had previous drink-drive convictions and was on bail at the time he was stopped by the police.