Drugged-up blade yob nabbed by cops outside his home

Police spotted wasted knifeman as they probed theft

Cops probing reports of a theft collared a zonkedout yob with a stash of drugs and a blade, a court was told.

Mason MacKenzie, 20, was busted with etizolam tablets – dubbed ‘street Valium’ – and a keyring equipped with a folding knife.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard MacKenzie of Mitchell Avenue, Renfrew, was nabbed by police next to his home on January 15 this year.

Fiscal depute Alan Parfrey said: “At around 12.30pm that day police had cause to be at a close near to the MacKenzie’s home address.

“MacKenzie left the property and continued down the street.

“At that time police had cause to search him.

“He appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance at that time.

“They took him back to his home address where they carried out a search.

“In doing so they found valium or etizolam tablets worth £60.

“Officers went on to recovered the bladed article, which was a small black keyring recovered from the accused’s trouser pocket.”

The court heard the key ring concealed a two- inch blade and MacKenzie was arrested, but he was not cautioned and charged due to his state of intoxication.

He appeared at court where he pleaded guilty to charges of being in possession of the knife in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority and to possession of the etizolam.

Etizolam – dubbed the blue plague – costs as little as 50p per tablet and is a highly addictive drug which mimics the effects of valium and is often mixed with alcohol.

It leaves the user in a state of confusion, often causing memory loss, anxiety, and fits of anger.

Defence agent Michael McKeown said: “The matter has reached resolution and he is confirming pleas of guilty to the charges.

“Given his young age and the nature of the offence I would imagine your lordship would require reports.

“He has been remanded in custody as a result of this matter.”

Sheriff Tom McCartney told the accused: “I will adjourn this matter for the purpose of obtaining a Criminal Justice Social Work Report.

“You will be continued to be remanded in custody.”

MacKenzie will discover his fate when appears at court next month.