A TEENAGE thug has admitted chasing a stranger along a Dalmuir path while armed with a knife.

Andrew Devenney chased his intended victim along Mountblow Road, Lilac Avenue and Laurel Avenue, forcing the man – and a woman who was with him – to take refuge in a nearby shop.

A court was told the 19-year-old was heard shouting “YAASS” as he pulled a knife from his trousers.

Kevin Doherty, prosecuting, said the incident happened at around 6.15pm on March 25, when the man and his female companion were walking along a footpath on Mountblow Road near the Mountblow Superstore shop.

Mr Doherty said: “The accused and a hostile witness, who was riding a bicycle, were on the opposite footpath.

“The accused saw [the victim], placed his hand down his trousers, and shouted, ‘That’s him’. [The man] was chased, and the accused was seen to pull out a knife.

“The hostile witness tried to persuade them to talk. The accused ignored this and continued to pursue [the man] along Lilac Avenue and Laurel Avenue.”

“[The woman] was terrified by this, and ran to a shop nearby and asked shop staff to phone the police.

“[The male victim] entered the store... the accused and the hostile witness also attempted to enter but were told to leave, which they did.

“The owner saw the accused at the rear of the store throwing an object into the river that runs through Dalmuir Park.”

Police arrived at the store and took details of what had happened.

They broadcasted a “look out” message, and viewed CCTV footage which showed part of the pursuit, along with the accused placing a shiny item in his pocket and then throwing the item into the river.

“The accused and witness were later arrested on an unrelated matter,” Mr Doherty continued.

“The witness told police he had been with the accused, and said the accused had had a knife and had chased after another male not known to them.”

Devenney, of Melbourne Avenue, pleaded guilty to two charges at a hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on January 21. He admitted being in possession of a bladed or sharply pointed weapon, and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by chasing the man while armed with a knife and brandishing it at the woman.

Click here for all the latest news from Clydebank and the surrounding areas

Phil Lafferty, defending, said Devenney had been behind bars since July, since he flouted a community payback order that had been imposed for a separate offence.

The teen’s criminal past includes convictions for possession of a knife in public and for threatening or abusive behaviour.

Mr Lafferty said Devenney was due to be released from prison on or around March 3.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry deferred sentence until February 18 for background reports.