Man fined for Princes Street trams protest

A MAN who lay down in the middle of Princes Street to protest against the tram project has been fined £135.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday heard Michael Smith, 30, had been drinking when he decided to express his opinions.

Fiscal depute Neil Allan said: "He came to the attention of the police at around 2pm on a Saturday afternoon. He was lying on the tram lines."

Mr Allan said although it was "unlikely" a tram would hit him buses and taxis were having to swerve out of the way.

Smith, of Merchiston Grove, admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner, causing oncoming traffic to take evasive action to avoid colliding with him, placing the public in a state of fear and alarm for their safety and committing a breach of the peace.