John Grierson made two calls to the emergency number earlier this month to tell officers he planned to kill Tony Tsang.

Tsang is the owner of the town’s Chinese takeaway Tsang’s Kitchen, where Grierson was working at the time.

Hazel Emmerson, prosecuting, told Paisley Sheriff Court this week: “At around 10.05pm on March 1, 2015, the accused made a 999 call to Police Scotland from a public phone box.

“The accused provided his true name and stated, ‘I’m going to commit a murder — I’m going to get Tony Tsang.’” She said Grierson, 31, said he was going to kill Tsang unless officers were there to prevent him.

And he said he wanted to take Tsang’s life because Tsang blamed him for stealing money for some deliveries the previous night.

Officers raced to the store in Johnstone’s High Street where they met Tsang, who told them he had not been contacted by anyone or received any threats.

Just before 10.30pm that night Grierson called 999 again from a different phone box in the town.

Emmerson explained: “The accused stated he was going to kill Tony Tsang — he said that on two occasions.” Officers again raced to the scene and got there so quickly that they saw Grierson leaving the phone box.

They arrested him and discovered he had a cut on his hand, which he said was caused by a fall, and he admitted making the calls about Tsang.

Emmerson said: “He was up front with the police from the start and admitted it was him that had made the calls.

“He said he had done so because he was angry he’d been accused of stealing money.

“He said he had no intention of following through with his threats and appeared very remorseful to the police.” Terry Gallanagh, defending, told the court that Grierson was drunk at the time and was “horrified, embarrassed and sorry” for his behaviour.

The lawyer said Grierson had been helping his dad, who was a delivery driver for the restaurant, and that the £24 in cash had gone missing.

He said Tsang blamed Grierson for taking the cash and, fearing his dad may lose his job, his client turned to drink.

He said the £24 was found in the shop but Grierson couldn’t be told about it because he had gone drinking.

He added: “He told the police these things, which is bizarre beyond belief.

“He accepted full responsibility and expressed his immediate remorse.

“He regrets his conduct entirely.

“Mr Tsang has indicated that there is no grudge held and that Mr Grierson may get a job with him in the future.” When he appeared in the dock this week Grierson, of Howwood, pleaded guilty to breaking the Communications Act 2003 by repeatedly phoning 999, threatening murder and making threats of violence.

As she fined Grierson £200, Sheriff Susan Sinclair said: “There’s no point commenting on your conduct in this case because it’s clearly drink-related and bizarre behaviour.” Tony Tsang declined to comment on the case and whether he would employ Grierson again.