McConnell intruder 'not nasty but silly'

Bute House is the first minister's official residence

A drunken gatecrasher who tricked her way into a party at the Scottish first minister's official residence has been admonished by a court.

Joan Nyiam was given the caution when she appeared for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where she had pleaded guilty last month to breaching the peace.

The sheriff told Ms Nyiam, 47, she had been silly rather than malicious, when she talked her way past security guards at Bute House in Edinburgh.

The incident prompted a review of security arrangements around the First Minister Jack McConnell.

Joan Nyiam: Prompted security review

The court had heard that Bridget McConnell, the wife of the first minister, had been entertaining family and friends at the official residence in May.

Nyiam, of Moray Place, Edinburgh, talked her way past a security guard and got to the drawing room.

She began swearing and making derogatory remarks to people inside the building, the court heard.

The McConnells had returned from the Queen's Golden Jubilee garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse shortly before the incident occurred.

Nyiam's solicitor told Sheriff Andrew Lothian last month that his client had a history of depression and psychiatric treatment.

When she appeared before the court on Wednesday, Sheriff Andrew Lothian said she had not acted out of malice before dismissing her from the court.