Convicted killer is back behind bars after being caught with saw in street

Thug claimed he had blade to cut padlock off lamppost

A killer who tried to saw a padlock off a lamppost in a bizarre drug- fuelled incident has been caged after he was caught armed with the weapon in the street.

Anthony Mackin was spotted hammering the saw against a lamppost by concerned residents at Henderson Street in the town on December 4 last year.

The tanked- up 49- year- old was making such a scene that neighbours dialled 999 to alert police to his strange actions.

Mackin, who is currently a prisoner at Low Moss, was told when he appeared at Paisley

Sheriff Court yesterday that his “concerning” criminal record - which includes 31 previous convictions including culpable homicide and multiple weapons charges - that there was no other option for sentencing than jail.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew told Mackin: “Your record which you will have to concede does you no favours.

“You have 31 previous convictions which include four assaults and culpable homicide.

“All of this causes me concern that someone with your record is in possession of a saw without reasonable excuse of lawful authority in a public place while under the influence of something.”

The court previously heard Mackin had been drinking and decided he wanted the padlock which he spotted attached to the lamppost.

Defence agent Amy Spencer told the court yesterday that Mackin maintained that explanation for his behaviour but accepted he would be going to jail because of his previous record.

He previously pled guilty to having the saw on Henderson Street, Paisley without reasonable excuse or lawful authority on December 4 last year.

Ms Spencer said: “He accepts that the background of his record means there is no alternative available.

“The explanation he has offered in relation to the offence, he has always maintained the position.

“I was sceptical about this explanation, however, an investigation by my colleagues show the padlock on the lamppost as the court has seen in a photograph.

“You could not make it up.

“He had taken an interest in this padlock for reasons only known best to himself.”

Sheriff Pettigrew jailed Mackin for 30 months and placed him on a Supervised Release Order for 12 months in which he will have to complete alcohol and drug counselling.

The sheriff added: “With a record like yours the court has to be concerned about these actions.”

Mackin was caged for six years at the High Court in Glasgow in 1996 over the 1995 killing of Raymond Anderson, 45, at his home in Elm Road, Paisley.

In 2004 he was handed another 45 months at the high court for committing assault to severe injury on another man.

He was also caged for 19 months in 2009 after he was caught stalking through Paisley’s west end armed with a blade.

He also has previous convictions for breach of the peace, possession of heroin, shoplifting, attempting to pervert the course of justice, assault to injury, assault, assault to severe injury, an axe and a hypodermic needle.

You have 31 previous convictions which include four assaults and culpable homicide