Inverness man decided to drink whisky in his car after falling out with his wife
A self-employed builder fell out with his wife and drove his car to a secluded free car park near the River Ness to calm down before drinking a bottle of whisky.
But when 51-year-old Waldemar Jaronski's family became concerned for his welfare on the night of April 4, they reported him to the police who were tasked to look for him.
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In the early hours of the following morning, Jaronski was traced asleep to the Riverside car park close to Friars Bridge but he still had the keys to his vehicle in the central console.
Jaronski was then charged with being in charge of his vehicle with excess alcohol in his system. He told officers: "What can I say? I was just sleeping in the car."
At Inverness Sheriff Court, Jaronski, of Rosehaugh Road, Inverness pleaded not guilty to the offence, claiming that he had no intention of driving until the alcohol was out of his system.
Sheriff Gary Aitken heard that Jaronski often used the car park when he had argued with his wife and would sometimes stay away from home for lengthy periods until matters settled.
He told his defence solicitor Marc Dickson: "I had an argument with my wife and got into my car and left the house as I didn’t want to argue any more."
He confirmed he often went there and used his car as his home until he and his wife reconciled. Jaronski said the car park was convenient to his son's home and for shopping.
Jaronski went on: "I needed to calm down and have a drink. I obtained a bottle of whisky from Grant Street. I am not sure if I finished the bottle. It was a standard size."
Mr Dickson and fiscal depute Martina Eastwood had previously agreed police evidence that an empty bottle of whisky had been found in his car and an expert toxicologist's report that Jaronski would have been fit enough to drive in the mid-afternoon of April 5.
Jaronski insisted he intended to remain in the car park in his car over the weekend and planned to return home on the Monday. claiming he would not have driven until then. He said he and his wife had since made up and he was staying at home again.
Sheriff Aitken considered his story but before delivering his verdict, gave Jarnoski a lecture.
"You may think it is normal to go to a car park and consume a bottle of whisky. But it was selfish and inconsiderate because your family were concerned about you.
"Police resources were used to find you and I am sure they could have done something more constructive instead. The court takes an exceedingly dim view of people who drink and drive and if you decide to use your car as a pub, it has considerable risks for you.
"I have grave suspicions about when you may have driven your car but that is not sufficient for finding you guilty, although another more cynical sheriff may decide differently. You would be well advised not to find yourself in this position again."
