A SPURNED ex has been spared a driving ban after police officers found him living in his van with the keys in the ignition while almost four times the legal alcohol limit.

Jaroslavas Rusecki, 37, was arrested in April after officers were called to reports of an intoxicated man in a vehicle in Colchester.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard a breath test carried out in custody recorded 139mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

In interview, Rusecki said he had been living in his van for a few days and had been told to do so by police officers.

He said he had drunk two bottles of wine and two beers and had his keys in the ignition to charge his phone.

Rusecki, of no fixed address, admitted being in charge of a motor vehicle with an alcohol level above the legal limit.

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Selena Dines, mitigating, said his guilty plea was put on the basis he never had any intention to drive the van.

“The vehicle had been parked in the same location for a considerable period of time,” she said.

“Previously an ex-partner contacted the police and the police advised the defendant to go somewhere else.

“They suggested he stay in the van, pick up some clothes and stay in the vehicle.”

Ms Dines said on the day of his arrest, Rusecki had visited his ex partner “hoping for some reconciliation”.

She said the police were again called and her client waited for them in his van.

She added: “The only reason he had the keys in the ignition was because it was cold and he needed to charge his phone as he was concerned he was going to be arrested.”

Ms Dines said Rusecki suffers with post traumatic stress disorder after a serious assault in Colchester six years ago.

The court heard the self-employed plasterer is due to start work again, for which he would need to be able to drive.

Rusecki’s driving licence was endorsed with ten penalty points, he was hit with a £666 fine and ordered to pay £172 in court costs.