A cold is annoying at the best of times, but for one Scottish businessman a runny nose has leaked into a legal nightmare.
Michael Mancini developed a need to blow his nose as he drove through Ayr in October last year and, finding himself stationary in a traffic jam, thought he'd found a safe opportunity.
However, the Daily Record reports, after applying the handbrake and whipping out a tissue, the 39-year-old was stunned to find himself beckoned over by one of four nearby police officers, who alleged that he had not been in control of his vehicle.
And the furniture restorer - still with tissue in hand - was left spluttering when the policeman issued him with a £60 fixed penalty.
"I thought it was some kind of Beadle's About moment," Mancini explained.
"The traffic was at a complete standstill and I had my handbrake on. I tried to explain that to the officer but he wouldn't listen."
Mancini, who has taken legal advice on the incident, is adamant that he won't be paying the penalty - preferring instead to face criminal trial at Ayr District Court.
A Strathclyde police spokesperson confirmed that a 39-year-old man was subject to a report to the procurator fiscal.
"It's doubtful I'll get legal aid so this could potentially cost me thousands in legal fees, Mancini added.
"I'm really angry. I made sure it was safe to blow my nose."
