Scotland: Killer jailed for 19 years after meeting victim on gay website
A killer who stabbed to death a father-of-two after meeting him on a gay dating website has been jailed for a minimum of 19 years.
On 3 January, 36-year-old Weir was stabbed at least 16 times in the chest at his home in Bonhill, West Dunbartonshire.
The jury heard Baker had been undergoing gender confirmation treatment at the time of the killing.
Lord Boyd jailed Baker for life at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday and told him he was guilty of a “wicked and brutal” attack.
“As for the reason for this, it is only you who will know. John Weir did nothing which remotely justified what happened to him that night,” the judge added.
STV reports Baker grinned and showed no remorse at sentencing.
Murray Macara QC, defending, said a pre-sentencing report had stated Baker had suffered from “emotional and sexual problems”.
Mr Macara added: “Clearly something triggered this total loss of self control that resulted in Mr Weir’s death.”
Mr Weir had lived in Erskine, Renfrewshire, with his disabled sister; she was put into care after his death.
After sentencing Mr Weir’s close friend, Michael Lloyd, paid tribute to a man who would “always try and help people out”.
Mr Lloyd added: “I could not believe what happened to him due to the fact he was so non-confrontational. It is great to see that justice does prevail.”
