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 John Moore

Sep 18, 2026

At the High Court in Paisley, Judge McCormick sentenced John Moore to 6 years and 9 months imprisonment, after the offender was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

HMA v Jamie Hamilton

Sep 17, 2026

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Guy sentenced Jamie Hamilton to 54 months imprisonment, after the offender was found guilty of of two domestic abuse offences against different women.

HMA v Liam Scott

Sep 16, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower imposed a 13-year extended sentence on Liam Scott, after the offender was convicted of five charges of raping three women.

HMA v Jamie Hogg and Kevin Lankiewicz

Sep 15, 2026

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, two men involved with prolonged episodes of public disorder involving fireworks in 2024 were sentenced by Sheriff Campbell. Jamie Hogg was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. A restriction of liberty order was imposed on Kevin Lankiewicz.

HMA v Tyler Sivier and MM

Sep 15, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Braid sentenced Tyler Sivier & MM, after the offenders pled guilty to their involvement in an assault. Tylier Sivier was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months imprisonment, and MM was given a Community Payback Order with 12 months of supervision.

HMA v Charles McAughey and Scott Bannatyne

Sep 15, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Charles McAughey and Scott Bannatyne to 6 and 3 years imprisonment. The offenders pled guilty to offences relating to serious organised crime.

HMA v John Houston

Sep 15, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh Judge Jackson sentenced John Houston to 10 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of domestic abuse and sexual violence towards two women over a period of three years

HMA v Douglas Mills Senior and Douglas Mills Junior

Sep 14, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge William Gallacher sentenced Douglas Mills Senior and Douglas Mills Junior to 17 years imprisonment after they were convicted of the attempted murder of a police officer.

HMA v Wendy Pullar

Sep 9, 2026

At the Sheriff Court in Dundee, Sheriff Ralph imposed a Community Payback Order on Wendy Pullar, after the offender pled guilty to causing the death of Neil Black by careless driving. She is required to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, and is subject to a 12-month driving ban.

HMA v Liam Murphy and Bradley Lawrie

Sep 8, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie imposed extended sentences on Liam Murphy and Bradley Lawrie. The pair pled guilty to a series of offences in Glasgow city centre. Mr Murphy was given an extended sentence of 11 years with a custodial element of nine years. Mr Lawrie was given an extended sentence of nine years and six months with a custodial element of seven years and six months.

HMA v Albert Glass

Sep 4, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Matthews sentenced Albert Glass to 40 months imprisonment. The offender pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury.

HMA v Edward Parsons

Aug 28, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge T Kelly imprisoned Edward Parsons for 64 months. Parsons had admitted causing the death of Scott Gilles by dangerous driving. The offender has been disqualified from driving for 12 years and 9 months.

HMA v William Murdoch

Aug 28, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge K.F. McCallum KC imposed a 7-year prison term on William Murdoch. The offender was found guilty following a trial of rape.

HMA v Robert Donaghy

Aug 25, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower imposed a 3-year prison term on Robert Donaghy. The offender admitted threatening a member of a trial jury.

HMA v Matteullah Siddiqi

Aug 25, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Scott imposed an extended sentence of 8 years and 9 months on Matteullah Siddiqi. The offender pled guilty to charges including human trafficking and exploitation of a child, supplying class A drugs and struggling violently with police officers to severe injury. The offences occurred whilst Siddiqi was on bail. He will spend 6 years and 9 months in prison and a further 2 years on licence in the community.

HMA v Stephen Harley

Aug 25, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower imposed an extended sentence on Stephen Harley after the offender pled guilty to two charges of assault on different women aggravated by being in a relationship with them at the time. The custodial term was set at 70 months with a 3 years extension period.

HMA v XY

Aug 25, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower imposed an 18 years extended sentence after the offender was convicted of raping his own daughter over a period of 2 months. The custodial term was set at 12 years with extension period of 6 years.

HMA v Fraser Garden

Aug 21, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Braid imposed a prison sentence of 13 years and 6 months on Fraser Garden. The offender pled guilty to causing the death of John Bell by dangerous driving whilst under the influence of drugs as well as other offences.

HMA v Kieran Broom

Aug 20, 2026

At the High Court in Inverness, Judge Pasportnikov sentenced Kieran Broom to 9 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of two charges of rape to injury and danger of life.

HMA v Allan’s of Gillock Limited

Aug 19, 2026

At Wick Sheriff Court, Sheriff Wilson imposed a £32,000 fine on Allan’s of Gillock Limited. The company admitted failings in the Health and Safety at Work Act that led to the death of Alan Guthrie.

1 (current)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10