Homeless man jailed after he was caught with zombie-drug spice and a knife in Sheffield

John Jubb, aged 45, of no fixed abode, was found on Church Street, Sheffield, by police with wraps of the cannabinoid drug spice and a kitchen knife, according to a Sheffield Magistrates’ Court hearing on May 27 sitting at the Sheffield Crown Court building.

Alison Goldsmith, prosecuting, said: “On May 3, officers were on patrol believing a group of males was involved with drugs on Church Street.”

Jubb had been seen taking out a plastic bag from his waistband, according to Ms Goldsmith.

She added: “Officers were directed to his location at a bus stop on Church Street and he was told he was to be searched.”

Ms Goldsmith added Jubb produced a plastic bag with five wraps of a herbal substance commonly known as spice and a knife was found.

Jubb, who has previous convictions including two for possessing offensive weapons, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in public and to possessing the cannabinoid drug – known as a zombie-drug because of the zombie-like effect it has on users.

The defendant also admitted an assault committed on May 15 on the basis he put an employee of the Sheffield housing support group, the 911 Project, in fear of being attacked.

Ms Goldsmith said the complainant had been visiting a project property when Jubb jumped out of a cupboard and startled him after the defendant had been banned from the premises.

Jubb later threatened the employee in the street and the complainant feared he was going to be struck, according to Ms Goldsmith.

Mary Rose Macadam, defending, said Jubb has been homeless and uses the kitchen knife for food.

Ms Macadam said Jubb could not recall the incident with the 911 Project employee and believes he may have been drunk at the time.

She added Jubb, who has been the victim of an alleged knife attack, has had problems with drugs and he has a long-term psychiatric condition but he has been on a methadone prescription to address his drug problems.

District Judge Grace Leong sentenced Jubb to five-months of custody and ordered him to pay a £128 victim surcharge.