GIFTED footballer Simon Caines was shown the red card by West Midlands Police when he was arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.

The trusting teenager, who has autism, had been asked to carry a knuckleduster by another boy and agreed.

After the weapon was found during a search, Simon was bailed and referred to a youth offending team (YOT) because of the seriousness of the offence.

But the brush with the law turned out to be his saviour and now Simon has been helped to discover a passion for cooking.

Because youth crime officer Pc Paul Withey, who warned him of the consequences if he carried on the destructive path, helped him unearth hidden talents.

Simon said: “He left me in no doubt that I had done wrong and how I could end up with a criminal record that could harm my future.

“But he also listened to me and discussed what I could do to make my life better.”