TODAY, two families have been left torn apart by the scourge of drugs and Britain's growing knife crime culture.As 26-year-old Keiran Botterill faces a life sentence for the fatal stabbing of21-year-old Zak Brown, the dangerous combination of knives and drugs has been brought once more to the fore.

Josh Warwick

TODAY, two families have been left torn apart by the scourge of drugs and Britain's growing knife crime culture.

As 26-year-old Keiran Botterill faces a life sentence for the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Zak Brown, the dangerous combination of knives and drugs has been brought once more to the fore.

In a special investigation, friends have told how Botterill would carry a knife because of his drug-induced paranoia after his life spiralled into one of dependency on heroin and crack cocaine.

Already convicted of previous knife crimes, his paranoia was eventually to lead to the death of a young man.

Peter Gair, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This case demonstrates once again that those who carry knives run the risk of getting themselves in a position where they may use them and of course knives are deadly weapons.”

“Had Mr Botterill not carried a knife it is entirely possible that he may have avoided causing a death.

“He is now serving a life sentence and so will have plenty of time to reflect on his cowardly actions.

“One would hope others will take heed.”

See the links below for Josh Warwick's special investigation into this shocking crime.