A Johnstone thug currently serving a jail sentence for abduction and assault has been caught with Class A drugs.
Nathan Macleod appeared on a complaint with three other young men which stated they were in possession of cocaine on May 29 at a flat in Fulton Crescent, Kilbarchan.
But 22-year-old Macleod took the hit and admitted he was the one in possession of the drugs.
The three other men – Myles McSwegan, Ryan McCotter and Dylan Brown – pleaded not guilty to the offence, which was accepted by the crown.
Prosecutor Carly McLeod told Paisley Sheriff Court: “On May 29, police officers attended at Fulton Crescent in relation to a separate incident. The property had been secured as a crime scene at this time.
“Officers observed items within the property, one item being a white knotted bag on the pouffe in the living room. The bag weighed 6.9g and was seized.
“This was then tested which tested positive for cocaine with a value of £700.”
Defence agent Rhona Lynch told the court Macleod’s drug use was as a result of mixing with the wrong crowd.
Ms Lynch explained: “Mr Macleod’s parents are business people and are supportive of him. He had a privileged and loving upbringing but he mixed with a negative peer group and began using cocaine.”
Ms Lynch also explained the separate incident cops were attending to at the Fulton Crescent property was an “attack” on Macleod.
Ms Lynch added: “Persons stormed into the flat with machetes and knifes and stabbed Macleod. It was a horrendous attack which resulted in life-threatening injuries.
“He has dramatically changed his life around while on bail for this matter. He moved away from the area and extracted himself from the negative influences.”
Sheriff Lindsay Kooner imposed a fine of £700 reduced to £485 to reflect Macleod’s early plea.
Due to currently serving a 16-month custodial sentence for his part in the abduction and assault of two young men, Ms Lynch sought no time to pay the fine.
As a consequence, the alternative of a 14-day custodial jail sentence was imposed.
Macleod, previously of Miliken Road, alongside three other thugs – Liam Muggins, Reece Little and Liam McNamee – abducted and assaulted Jack Tustian and John Boyd in January 2020, and subjected them both to horrific and violent assaults at a flat in Johnstone’s High Street.
Following a trial at Paisley Sheriff Court, the four hooligans were found guilty by a jury of the abduction and assaults.
The Paisley Daily Express told last month how Sheriff Tom McCartney ordered that each of the four thugs be jailed, branding their behaviour as “thuggish” and “gang like.”
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