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 Andrew Ingram

May 1, 2026

At the High Court in Stirling Lord Renucci imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Andrew Ingram after he was convicted of 19 charges. Sixteen of those charges involved serious sexual offending against five complainers.

HMA v Stephen Jamieson

Apr 30, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Scott imposed a 6-year prison sentence on Stephen Jamieson. The offender pled guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime and supplying controlled drugs. Jamieson has also been issued with a 4-year Serious Crime Prevention Order to come into effect upon his release from custody.

HMA v Russell Pender

Apr 23, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Arrol KC imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on 70-year-old Russell Pender, after he found was guilty of 18 sexual offences against children. The punishment part was set at seven years.

HMA v Michael Kiernan

Apr 22, 2026

At Stornoway Sheriff Court, Sheriff Frazer sentenced Michael Kiernan to 4 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of sustained domestic abuse and three counts of threatening and abusive behaviour.

HMA v Stuart Holloway

Apr 22, 2026

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, a former RBS banker was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment by Sheriff Walls, after stealing thousands of pounds from business clients. Stuart Holloway pled guilty to offences under the Bribery Act 2010.

HMA v Declan Cunningham

Apr 21, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Jackson KC imposed a community payback order on Declan Cunningham after he was found guilty of domestic abuse and violence charges. Cunningham has been placed under supervision for 12 months, must carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and has been given a 5-month curfew. He has also been issued with non-harassment orders in relation to his victims.

HMA v Leslie Thompson, Graeme Cullen, Graham Newall & Martin Lang

Apr 21, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Hood imposed prison sentences on Leslie Thompson, Graeme Cullen, Graham Newall and Martin Lang. Thompson, Cullen and Newall were found guilty of, and Lang admitted, charges of evading the payment of VAT with a serious organised crime aggravation. Thompson, Cullen, Newall and Lang received respective terms of 7 years, 6 years, 5 years & 6 months, and 4 years.

PF Paisley v Direct Engineering (Scotland) Ltd

Apr 21, 2026

At Paisley Sheriff Court, Direct Engineering (Scotland) Ltd was ordered to pay £12,000 by Sheriff Mohan. The business pled guilty to a charge under the Health & Safety at Work Act, after employee, James Clark, was struck by a crane while working at height.

HMA v A & D Logistics Ltd

Apr 21, 2026

At the Sheriff Court in Paisley, Sheriff Mohan imposed a £50,000 fine on haulage company, A & D Logistics Ltd. The Linwood-based business pled guilty to a charge under the Health & Safety at Work Act after employee, Michael McGonigle, sustained serious injuries while on shift.

HMA v Brandon Booth

Apr 17, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Brandon Booth to life imprisonment after he pled guilty to the murder of Dylan Thomas Geddes in Aberdeen.

HMA v Scott Nugent

Apr 16, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Scott Nugent to 5 years imprisonment after he pled guilty to a charge of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. The 42-year-old killed a man and injured another after falling asleep behind the wheel. The offender will also be disqualified from driving for 6 and a half years.

HMA v Lee Milne

Apr 10, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Drummond imposed an 11 years extended sentence on Lee Milne after the offender was convicted of Culpable Homicide and domestic abuse. The custodial term was set at 8 years with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Henry Laverty

Apr 8, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge D Brown imposed an order for lifelong restriction on Henry Laverty. The offender pled guilty to assaulting his partner. Laverty will serve an indeterminate sentence, with a punishment part of 2 years and 3 months imprisonment before he can apply for release on licence in the community.

HMA v Joshua Marky Stewart

Apr 2, 2026

At High Court in Glasgow, Lady Drummond sentenced Joshua Stewart after being convicted of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and danger to life (connected to serious crime). The offender was sentenced to three years and eight months imprisonment, reduced from five years six months because of an early guilty plea. The sentence was backdated to 25 February, and he will be supervised for 12 months following release.

HMA v Karen Lawrence

Apr 1, 2026

At Ayr Sheriff Court, Sheriff Connelly imposed a Community Payback Order on Karen Lawrence, who pled guilty to creating a fraudulent scheme to embezzle almost £100,000. She is subject to a supervision order for two years and ordered to undertake 300 hours of Unpaid Work. She is also subject to a restriction of liberty order for six months.

HMA v Mary McClinden McGuire & Marie Bernadette O’Gorman

Mar 25, 2026

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Louise Arrol KC sentenced Mary McGuire and Marie O’Gorman over charges of historic child abuse at Nazareth House, Glasgow. McGuire was placed on supervision for 2 years, will carry out 225 hours of unpaid work and must pay £1,000 compensation to 5 complainers. O’Gorman was also placed under supervision for 2 years and must pay £1,000 to 3 complainers.

HMA v Ian Sinclair McIntyre

Mar 24, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson imposed an extended sentence of 15 years on Ian McIntyre. The offender admitted assault to danger of life and assault of two police officers. These included a domestic abuse aggravation and breach of bail aggravation. McIntyre will serve a 9-year prison term and spend a further 6 years on licence in the community.

HMA v David Keegan

Mar 23, 2026

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss imposed an 18-month prison sentence on David Keegan. The offender has also been disqualified from driving for 6 years after being convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

HMA v Ciaran Davidson

Mar 20, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge David Young imposed a sentence of 5 years and 4 months on Ciaran Davidson. The offender had been found guilty of rape.

HMA v Gary McIntyre

Mar 19, 2026

At the High Court at Edinburgh on 19 March 2026, Judge Norman McFadyen KC sentenced Gary McIntyre to an extended sentence of 8 years and 7 months for attempted murder by damaging internal gas pipes and starting a fire within the four in a block council property occupied by him in Cowdenbeath on 27 December 2024, intending to cause an explosion and barricading the door to prevent emergency services from entering.

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