Alcoholic caught with knife in Aldi spared jail
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An alcoholic caught with a knife in a supermarket in Inverness is to be supervised by social workers for the next 18 months.
Ariel Blaszczhkawski (39), of King Duncan's Road, was spotted by shoppers at the Aldi store near Friar's Bridge on October 30 this year with the five and a half inch black handled kitchen knife in his hand at the till.
It was knocked out of his hand by witnesses and police were called, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.
Fiscal depute Shay Treanor said: "He was then heard to say What am I doing?, Where am I? I need help.' "
Defence solicitor David Patterson explained: "He has been getting treatment and medication for alcohol abuse. But he had not taken his medication and had turned to alcohol.
"He had bought the knife in the shop and is remorseful for what happened."
Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald said: "This matter with a knife in Aldi is very concerning.
"That is a terrifying ordeal for people to be put in.
"I could quite easily send you to jail today for this offence Mr Blaszczhkawski."
The sheriff imposed a community payback order with 18 months supervision as a direct alternative to custody.
Blaszczhkawski was admonished on a number of other charges.
