A pastor has apologised after admitting he broke Covid rules when organising a large-scale church service during last year’s lockdown.

At least 40 people attended the Hosanna Romanian Church service organised by Reverend Daniel Karacsony in a religious hall in Leith, Edinburgh.

Neighbours called the police after hearing congregants singing hymns. It’s understood that when officers arrived, they found between 40 and 50 people not wearing masks.

Rev Karacsony pleaded guilty to culpably and recklessly holding the gathering and breaching Covid 19 restrictions as he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Emma Tod told the court: “There were 40 to 50 people standing in close proximity singing along. The majority were not wearing face masks.

“The officers requested the music to be turned off and the accused said he was the leader of the congregation.

“He stated he was the pastor and they were holding a church service as they do every Sunday.”

The pastor’s lawyer said his client “wasn’t aware the Covid regulations had changed” and wanted to “apologise to the court”.

Rev Karacsony has been granted bail while he awaits his sentence scheduled for next month.

Hosanna Romanian Church is part of the Church of God Scotland, a protestant and pentecostal denomination with churches in 184 countries and with a worldwide membership of over seven million.