Knife thug who was on 30 Valium a day caged for 22 months

Cops found yob unsteady and was slurring his words

A Renfrewshire thug with a 30 Valium- a- day drug habit was caught armed with an eight-inch blade in the street – then told cops it was because he was “making a munch.”

Ryan Glendinning was caught with the huge blade in the pocket of his shorts while he was in Paisley Road, Renfrew, at 10am one Saturday morning.

The yob, 28, came to the attention of officers as he staggered along the street and, believing he was under the influence of drugs, they stopped him for a drug search.

Glendinning had no illegal drugs on him at the time, but failed to tell police he had the knife in his pocket.

When they searched him on August 18 this year, they found the blade.

The details emerged when Glendinning appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court for a pre-trial hearing.

He pleaded guilty to the single charge against him – carrying a bladed weapon.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Keri Marshall told the court: “Police officers were driving on Paisley Road, Renfrew, and saw the accused.

“He looked unsteady on his feet and appeared to be staggering on the pavement. They got out of their vehicle and approached the accused, who was clearly under the influence of something.

“He was talking slowly, slurring his words, was unable to hold a conversation and had a glazed expression.

“He was searched under Section 32 [of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971].

“A black-handled kitchen knife was recovered from the left pocket of his shorts.

“His reply to caution and charge was, ‘I was just making a munch’.”

The court heard that Glendinning was taken to Greenock Police Office to be processed and was held in custody, where he has remained ever since after being remanded in custody at his initial court appearance in August.

Defence Solicitor Advocate Alastair Gray, representing Glendinning, told Sheriff David Pender he did not have his troubles to seek.

The lawyer explained: “At the time of this the accused was taking approximately 30 Valium a day and, as a result, his recollection of the events on the day in question are limited.

“In terms of what he told the police, he doesn’t dispute that.

“He recognises a custodial sentence will be imposed.”

Sheriff Pender pointed out that Glendinning had previous convictions involving knives and for violence before caging Glendinning for 22 months, reduced from 27 as he admitted his guilt, and backdating the sentence to August, when he was first remanded in custody.

He was talking slowly, slurring his words, was unable to hold a conversation and had a glazed expression