SENTENCING STATEMENTS

A judge may decide to publish a statement after passing sentence on an offender in cases where there is particular public interest; where a case has legal significance; or where providing the reasons for the decision might assist public understanding.

Please note that statements may include graphic details of offences when it is necessary to fully explain the reasons behind a sentencing decision.

Once charges are spent, any statement in relation to them is removed and cannot be provided or acknowledged. Statements published before the launch of the website may be available on request. Please email judicialcomms@scotcourts.gov.uk.

The independence of the judiciary is essential to safeguard people’s rights under law - enabling judges to make decisions impartially based solely on evidence and law, without interference or influence from the government or politicians.

When deciding a sentence, a judge must deal with the offence that the offender has been convicted of, taking into account the unique circumstances of each particular case. The judge will carefully consider the facts that are presented to the Court by both the prosecution and by the defence.

For more information about how judges decide sentences; what sentences are available; and matters such as temporary release, see the independent Scottish Sentencing Council website .

Read more about victims of crime and sentencing.

HMA v Gordon Leitch

Jan 20, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Jackson sentenced Gordon Leitch to 4 years and 6 months in prison. The offender had pled guilty to rape.

HMA v Multi Packaging Solutions UK Limited

Jan 20, 2026

At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Sheriff Kevin F McCallum KC fined Multi Packaging Solutions UK Limited £433,333, with an additional victim surcharge of £32,500. The company admitted a failure to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act which led to the serious injury of one of its employees.

HMA v Jamie Purdie

Jan 20, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Arrol KC imposed an extended sentence of 16 years and 6 months on Jamie Purdie. The offender pled guilty to attempted murder and reckless discharge of a firearm. Sentence includes a custodial term of 13 years and 6 months with a further 3 years on licence in the community.

HMA v Liridon Kastrati

Jan 20, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Gallacher imposed a 10-year prison term on Liridon Kastrati. The offender was found guilty of using a chainsaw in the attempted murder of police officers.

HMA v Michael Geddes & Brodie Burns

Jan 19, 2026

At the High Court in Aberdeen, Judge Miller imposed prison sentences on Michael Geddes and Brodie Burns after the pair were found guilty of abduction, assault to severe injury and permanent impairment and danger to life. The crimes were carried out with intent to rob. Geddes received a custodial term of 7 years and 6 months. Burns was handed an extended sentence of 9 years, this includes a 7 year custodial term and 2 years on licence in the community.

HMA v Eileen McElhinney, Carol Buirds & Dorothy Kane

Jan 15, 2026

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Iain Nicol sentenced Eileen McElhinney, Carol Buirds and Dorothy Kane after being convicted of historic crimes against children in their care. McElhinney was placed on probation for 12 months, ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and issued with a curfew. A 15-month prison sentence was imposed on Buirds. Kane was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. All three are referred to Scottish Ministers to consider whether they should be placed on the Children’s Register.

HMA v Nicky Robertson

Jan 14, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Weir imposed an extended sentence of 12 years on Nicky Robertson. Sentence includes a 9 year custodial term and an additional 3 years on licence in the community. The offender pled guilty to firearms offences.

HMA v Jamie Taylor

Jan 13, 2026

At High Court in Stirling, Lady Ross sentenced Jamie Taylor to 3 years and 6 months after the offender pled guilty to culpably and recklessly throwing a petrol bomb towards a police officer and a charge under section 2 of the Explosives Substances Act 1883.

HMA v Alexander McQuillan & Richard Mullan

Jan 13, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie imposed life sentences on Alexander McQuillan and Richard Mullan for the murder of Michael Beaton. McQuillan must serve a minimum period of 18 years and Mullan must serve at least 16 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

HMA v Christopher Diver

Jan 13, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Pattison jailed Christopher Diver for 6 years after the offender was found guilty of rape. Diver was also issued with a non-harassment order and added to the Sex Offenders’ Register.

HMA v Thomas Craig

Jan 12, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson imposed a 15 years extended sentence on Thomas Craig after the offender was convicted of Assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and a danger to life and a second charge of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, danger to life and attempted murder. The custodial part was set at 12 years with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Callum Fox

Jan 12, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie imposed a prison term of 6 years and 4 months on Callum Fox. The offender admitted causing the death of Jim Paterson by drunk driving. Fox has also been banned from driving for 11 years and 2 months.

HMA v Leigh Sutherland

Jan 9, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Hughes jailed Leigh Sutherland for 9 years. The offender had been found guilty of causing the death of Mrs Margaret Allan by dangerous driving. Sutherland has also been disqualified from driving for 13 years and 6 months.

HMA v Glasgow City Council

Jan 8, 2026

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff I Fleming fined Glasgow City Council £80,000. The authority had admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act after a lamppost collapsed and seriously injured a man.

HMA v Finlay Laird

Jan 8, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Scott sentenced Finlay Laird to 2 years and 9 months detention after the offender pled guilty to a charge of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

HMA v Jorja Colville

Jan 8, 2026

At the High Court in Stirling, Lady Ross sentenced Jorja Colville to 3 years and 10 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. She was also disqualified from driving for 6 years al 11 months and will have to pass the extended driving test.

HMA v Allan Hughes

Jan 8, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie sentenced Allan Hughes to six years and nine months after the offender pled guilty to being involved in serious organised crime and agreeing with others to concern himself in the supply of a class A drug and to exchanging messages and images relating to the procurement of firearms and ammunition, offering to facilitate their sale and supply.

HMA v Shirley Craughwell & Hannah Craughwell

Jan 6, 2026

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Walls imposed custodial terms of 20 months and 16 months respectively on Shirley and Hannah Craughwell. The pair pled guilty to charges relating to racial hate crimes.

HMA v Dionne Wilson

Jan 6, 2026

At the High Court in Livingston, Lord Mulholland imposed a 10-year prison sentence on Dionne Wilson. Following a trial, the offender was convicted of culpable homicide.

HMA v Russell Smith

Jan 6, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie imposed a prison sentence of 4 years and 3 months on Russell Smith. The offender pled guilty to supplying class-A drugs and being involved in serious organised crime.

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