A MAN who released the handbrake on a police van and left it to roll down a hill in a busy city centre left cops red-faced and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

John Whyte, 33, sneaked into the Police Scotland Ford Transit, which officers had parked and left unlocked in Friars Street, Stirling.

He let off the handbrake, causing the six-year-old vehicle to meander out of control down the gently-inclined pedestrianised street in the direction of the city centre.

It was prevented from careering into Barnton Street, Stirling, a busy city bus route, by the presence of a Stirling Council rubbish bin, and a low wall, into which the Transit plunged and came to a halt.

The incident happened on the evening of 11 September last year.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that the crash caused extensive damage to the van, damaged the wall, and completely destroyed the bin - which bore the city’s coat of arms.

Whyte, of Old Mill Glen, Oakley, Fife, pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct and acting “with utter disregard for the safety of the lieges.” His plea of not guilty to a separate charge of being in possession of class B controlled drug, Methylethecathinone, was accepted by the prosecution.

Friars Street, where the incident occurred. is one of the busiest in the city, and is close to pubs, restaurants, takeaways and Stirling’s popular Fubar nightclub.

Barnton Street, where the van might have rolled on had it not met the bin, has two bus stops and the main city centre taxi rank.

Depute fiscal Ann Orr, prosecuting, said Whyte, who arrived in court in a grey suit and black shirt, had no previous convictions.

She did not narrate the facts of the case. Ful details are expected to be narrated at a further hearing.

Whyte’s solicitor, Lucy Durie, said her client, who was now being prosecuted under summary procedure, had originally faced trial on indictment - the system reserved for serious matters.

She said: “This is a continued pleading diet after the matter was reduced to summary.

“He will confirm a plea of guilty to the charge.

“In the statements, the cost to repair the vehicle was £1753.99 and the cost to replace the bin was £1000.” Sheriff Colin McClory said: “I’m a little concerned about this incident and the way it appears to have happened.

“I will call for a criminal justice social work report and will continue with the accused ordained to appear.” Sentence was deferred until 14 May.