A YOUNG father has admitted possessing heroin and a lock knife in Southend.

Michael Grossett-Brown, 21, admitted being in possession of the items after police officers began questioning a group of youths in Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff, on October 30.

Grossett-Brown, from New Cross, was among the young men and caught officers’ attention when he began walking away from the group. He was then chased by the officers, during which he threw something into a bush, before being detained.

Following this, officers checked the bush and found the lock knife, after which Grossett- Brown was arrested.

His pockets were searched and 0.1g of diamorphine (heroin) was found in his jacket.

However, defence solicitor Roger Neild said the heroin was a remnant of Grossett-Brown’s past, which he had made efforts to put behind him since the birth of his three-year-old son, and his last offence was in May 2011.

He said: “There was a small amount of heroin in his coat which he had forgotten about.

It’s not a defence, but I mention it as a means of mitigation. He has a three-year-old and took the decision to turn his life around to be a positive role model, taking an NVQ qualification in cookery and working for a London Premier League football team, where he started as a chef and is about to be promoted as bar supervisor.”

Grossett-Brown was ordered to appear again at the court on January 21 for sentencing.