An Edmonton man busted for torching his former flame’s SUV after driving drunk from the scene and just missing a police car before smashing into a tree is off to jail.
Anthony Zaozirny, 42, was sentenced Friday to 10 months behind bars, followed by two years probation, after earlier pleading guilty to arson, impaired driving and two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Court has heard the bizarre incident stemmed from the oilfield worker becoming upset when his ex-girlfriend became pregnant after their romance ended and she ignored his attempts to get her to submit to DNA testing so he could find out whether he was the father.
Provincial court Judge Donna Valgardson noted the relationship had alternated between “reconciliation and revenge” and told Zaozirny he needs to listen when people give him good advice.
“That’s forget it and move on,” said Valgardson.
Zaozirny was fined $2,000 and banned from driving for 18 months on the drunk driving conviction.
He was also ordered to submit a DNA sample for the national DNA databank in Ottawa and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years.
As well, he was ordered to pay $4,300 in restitution for the two vehicles he damaged.
While on probation, Zaozirny must take treatment and counselling for alcohol abuse and domestic violence, abstain from drinking and have no contact with his ex-girlfriend or her current husband.
Court heard Zaozirny had a brief romantic liaison with Bernadette Andrejiw in 2008 and the pair had earlier been friends and acquaintances for a number of years.
Their romance ended in July 2008 and Zaozirny later learned Andrejiw was pregnant and he repeatedly tried to contact her to get her to submit to DNA testing so he could find out whether he was the father.
On the night of March 15, 2009, Zaozirny went to a bar across the street from where he knew she lived and was getting drunk when he saw her pull up in a Ford Explorer on the street in front of her residence and then go in.
Court heard Zaozirny then went outside to his pickup and grabbed a drill cable which he used to smash a large hole in the SUV’s windshield. He then grabbed a gas container from his truck and poured about five litres of gas into the SUV before tossing in a match and igniting the vehicle.
The SUV was “completely destroyed” by the 2:30 a.m. fire and a nearby pickup was also damaged.
Two police cars were heading to the scene in a convoy when the officer in the rear cruiser saw a pickup operated by Zaozirny do an unsafe turn in front of the first cruiser, narrowly missing it, and then crash into a tree.
The officer pulled over to investigate and quickly realized Zaozirny had been drinking. A breath sample later revealed Zaozirny had a blood-alcohol level of .13.
The officer also smelled gasoline and discovered a half-empty gas container and a book of matches in the pickup.
At that point, Zaozirny gave a full confession of what he had done and was arrested and charged, court heard.
The oil field worker was eventually released on his own recognizance with a condition he not contact Andrejiw.
However, Zaozirny repeatedly called the home where Andrejiw was living with Aaron Beattie and left messages, including one where he threatened to “bury the two of them” and another where he threatened to “rip Mr. Beattie’s head off.”
Before being sentenced, Zaozirny apologized for his actions.
“I totally regret what I did. It was a poor judgement call and alcohol was definitely a factor,” said Zaozirny.
I completely agree with this man's sentence as I believe he shows remorse and should be rehabilitated by attending alcohol counseling and being placed on probation. I also agree with the short prison term to express denunciation.
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