A TRANENT man who denied being drunk while in charge of a young girl’s welfare has been found guilty following a trial.

Paul Burns claimed he was innocent of being intoxicated while looking after the child on King’s Road in Tranent.

He also denied obstructing three police officers and to assaulting one of the officers during an ensuing physical struggle.

Burns was on trial in front of Sheriff John Cook at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last week where he faced five allegations regarding an incident that took place in April this year.

It was alleged Burns, of Lindores Drive, also assaulted the girl by seizing her by the hair and pulling at her, while he also faced charges of acting aggressively and struggling with police officers who had been called out to deal with him.

Following all the evidence, 30-year-old Burns was found guilty of four charges but was found not guilty of assaulting the youngster during the incident.

Sheriff Cook deferred sentence to later this month.

Burns was found guilty of being drunk in charge of the girl on King’s Road, Tranent, on April 20 this year.

He was also found to have acted in an aggressive manner, resisted, hindered or obstructed three police officers and to assaulting a police sergeant by punching and spitting at him during the same episode.