Renfrew teenager caught with knife is now Muay Thai director

Shaun Baker, 19, had the offensive weapon to "write his name" but was now said to be turning his life around with a programme aiming to divert young people from knives.

When he was 17, on April 19, 2022, in Peel View, Clydebank, he was spotted by council-operated CCTV at the high flats.

At about 12.20am, he was seen to have a knife, and police were alerted.

It was nearly 3am when police found Baker and placed him under caution.

Baker, previously of Stuart Street, Old Kilpatrick, and now of Sunart Avenue, Renfrew, later pleaded guilty to being in possession of the knife and while on undertakings to appear at both Paisley and Glasgow sheriff courts.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court on September 12, Baker's defence solicitor said his client had been struggling with his mental health at the time of the incident.

Baker had consumed drugs and alcohol, and "took a butter knife with the intent of writing his name on the wall".

The lawyer said: "He has made significant strides to address underlying issues.

"He recently became a director of The Mental Shift which aims at teaching young people and focuses on mental health.

"He is the only director in Scotland."

A letter was presented from the CEO of Newcastle-based The Mental Shift CIC, Kai Leighton.

The solicitor said: "[Baker] has not come to the attention of authorities since May 2022.

"It's clear he has demonstrated a development and maturity and shown a clear attempt to change."

The lawyer said his client was trying to use his own experiences to show other young people the right path and turn his life around for the better.

Sheriff James Mulgrew said the report from social workers on Baker was "very positive".

He said: "He is to be commended for the steps he has taken at such a young age.

"But I ought to recognise the nature of the offence."

The sheriff noted that The Mental Shift has a programme called "Lives, Not Knives" and that carrying such weapons in public can have fatal consequences.

He told Baker: "You're doing very well but the court should keep an eye on you and things. Continue doing well.

"If you're still doing as well as you're doing, the court may take an exceptional view."

Sentence was deferred until December 12 for Baker to be of good behaviour.

Mr Leighton later confirmed that Baker was a director and was the project manager and lead for expanding their work in Scotland.

He said in a statement: "Shaun Baker is the first director of The Mental Shift CIC from Scotland.

"He is also the first project manager for our 'Lives, Not Knives' programme - which is a Muay Thai training programme providing support and education to young men involved in antisocial behaviour and violent crime.

"Since I met Shaun, he has shown a real passion for supporting The Mental Shift and helping young lads who are following the same wrong path he used to follow, this was nothing other than a pure will to make a difference.

"Since he joined us, he has shown tremendous dedication and has contributed massively, including playing a key role in our securing of The National Lottery funding.

"I am honoured to have him work alongside me and he is a true testament to the power Muay Thai can have."