Killer brutally murdered Good Samaritan who let him stay in his flat

A killer brutally murdered a Good Samaritan who had allowed him to stay in his flat.

Waldemar Jaronski smacked talented musician Iain MacFarlane, 32, with a glass bottle before choking him and stuffing a pair of boxers into his mouth.

The 52-year-old then dialled 999 to admit what he had done on December 4, 2025.

Jaronski now faces a life sentence after he appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

He pled guilty via his KC RIchard Goddard to a murder charge.

Jaronski will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars later this month.

Police Scotland

Iain – originally from Ullapool in the Highlands – lived alone in Inverness.

Prosecutor Anna Chisholm told the court: “His friends and family describe him as a trusting and generous person.

“He would seek to help those less fortunate than himself.

“This would include offering food, money or a place to stay.

“He was known locally as a talented musician and busker who was well liked.”

Iain had first met Jaronski around a month before the killing.

This was while Iain had been busking in the city centre.

The men again came into contact on December 2.

Ms Chisholm said: “Jaronski had no fixed address. Iain MacFarlane invited him to stay at his flat that night.”

Jaronski was said to have told another person the next day that his mood was “low”.

He had also been drinking.

Iain’s father later urged his son not to let Jaronski stay with him because of this.

The court heard the murder happened between 2am and 8.20am on December 4.

This was after Iain had returned home pledging to give the change from his taxi fare to a “friend” who needed it.

There was no one else in the flat.

Jaronski later gave an account he had become angry after Iain allegedly did something he did not like.

Ms Chisholm said prosecutors could neither confirm nor refute that claim.

Jaronski had a knife on him and brandished it at Iain, who managed to grab the blade.

Ms Chisholm: “There was a struggle. While it continued, Jaronski picked up a glass bottle and struck him on the right side of the head.

“This caused the bottle to shatter and Iain MacFarlane dropped the knife. He fell and landed on his back.

“Jaronski knelt beside him, close to his body and restrained him.

“He then placed his knee on his neck and pressed down with his body weight.

“Iain MacFarlane lost consciousness. Jaronski tied two ligatures around his neck.”

This was a strap of material pulled tight together into a knot as well as the cord from a vacuum.

Ms Chishol added: “He also forced a pair of boxer shorts into his mouth.”

A blood-stained Jaronski soon left the flat with his dog.

He then called 999 and confessed: “I killed Iain. He is dead.”

Iain was discovered by emergency crews in his living room, which was littered with broken glass.

There was no pulse and he did not recover from the attack.

Iain passed away from ligature compression and his upper airway being blocked.

The court heard he is survived by his parents and sister.

They are likely to complete victim impact statements detailing how they have been affected by the time the case next calls.

Jaronski remains in custody as judge Lord Mulholland adjourned the case for reports.

He described the killing as a “brutal murder of a defenceless man”.

In a tribute after the tragedy, his family said: “Iain was a kind-hearted soul, gifted musician and passionate Highlander. His immeasurable loss will be felt deeply by all who knew him.”

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