Youths are being urged to speak up if they know someone with a weapon after Justin McLaughlin's killer was sentenced. 

Daniel Haig stabbed 14-year-old Justin in the heart at Glasgow's High Street station on October 16, 2021. 

Haig, who was 16 at the time of the murder, was ordered to serve at least 16 years in prison before he becomes eligible to seek release on licence.

Glasgow Times: CCTV of Daniel Haig with a knifeCCTV of Daniel Haig with a knife (Image: Crown Office)

Following the conviction, Lyndsay McDade of Crimestoppers Scotland spoke of the devastation of the case.

The National Youth Projects coordinator said: "As a mum, I can't bring myself to imagine the grief that Justin McLaughlin’s family must feel.

"He was a boy with his whole life ahead of him, to have that ripped away so young is an absolute tragedy.

"The death of Justin and the subsequent trial and then sentencing yesterday highlights what a devastating impact violence has, not just on the victim, but the perpetrator too and of course their wider families.

"The decision to carry a weapon changed the course of a lot of lives that day."

Glasgow Times:

 

Lyndsay is also calling for more action among young people when it comes to knife crime, despite a decrease in gang violence in Glasgow over the last 20 years.

She added: "We know that the vast majority of young people don't carry weapons and that gang violence in Glasgow and across Scotland has significantly reduced over the last two decades.

"However, there's no room for complacency. As is the case here, just one instance is too many.

"That's why it's vital that young people are encouraged to speak up if they know or suspect someone carrying a weapon or engaging in other forms of violence before it ends in such tragic circumstances.

“Sometimes young people can be frightened of the consequences of speaking up. They often feel afraid of the stigma it could bring or threats of violence or reprisal to them or their family.

"So, my message to young people is our charity’s youth service Fearless.org is here for you.

"When you tell us what you know about crime, you’ll stay 100% anonymous, meaning no one will ever know you contacted us.

“And for adults in our community, please talk to your young people and tell them about our service and give them a tangible way to make their communities safer before anyone else is badly hurt or killed.”

If you are worried about someone you know carrying a weapon, you can contact Fearless where you can remain anonymous. Find out more HERE.