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 Jordan James William Bald

Jul 25, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Jordan James William Bald to 10 years imprisonment. Bald had previously been convicted of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and attempted murder.

HMA v Jason Motion

Jul 24, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Jason Motion after he pled guilty to abduction, assault and robbery. The punishment part of the sentence is set at 4 years and 6 months and Motion has also been banned from driving for life.

HMA v Mark Robert Campbell

Jul 20, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Poole sentenced Mark Robert Campbell to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of murder, rape, assault and domestic abuse. Campbell will serve at least 27 years before being considered for parole.

HMA v Jacqueline Millar

Jul 19, 2023

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Derek O’Carroll sentenced Jacqueline Millar to 14 months imprisonment for sexual abuse whilst working as a teacher. Millar has also been added to the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

HMA v Jordan Lawrence

Jul 18, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Beckett sentenced Jordan Lawrence to 8 years in prison after the offender was found guilty of causing the deaths of two people by drunk driving. Lawrence was also convicted for leaving the scene and failure to notify the emergency services. He is disqualified from driving for 12 years.

HMA v Kevin Scott

Jul 13, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lady Haldane imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Kevin Scott after the offender was convicted of 10 charges including violent assault, rape, abduction, domestic abuse and sexual activity with a child. The punishment part was set at 6 years and 6 months.

HMA v Logan Doig

Jul 11, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Clark imposed an extended sentence of 12 years and 6 months on Logan Doig after the offender was convicted of 12 separate offences,including raping four young women, two of them on several occasions. The custodial part of that sentence will be 9 years and six months with a three year extension period.

HMA V NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Heath Board

Jul 10, 2023

At Paisley Sheriff Court today, Sheriff McCartney fined NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board £235,000 after the Board pled guilty to a breach of health and safety regulations committed for failing to ensure patients receiving medical treatment in South Ward, Gleniffer Unit, Dykebar Hospital were not exposed to risks to their health and safety. The failure led to a patient sustaining injuries from which he died.

HMA v Jamie George

Jul 4, 2023

At Stirling Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Derek Hamilton sentenced Jamie George to 37 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to culpable and reckless conduct by supplying to the public a dangerous substance, namely, 2,4 Dinotrophenol (DNP).

HMA v Aymen Bejaoui

Jul 3, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Matthews sentenced Aymen Bejaoui to 7 years and 6 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to attempted murder.

HMA v Stephen McHarg

Jun 30, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Fairley imposed an extended sentence of 14 years on Stephen McHarg, after the offender pled guilty to attempted murder aggravated by racial prejudice. The extended sentence comprises a custodial element of 9 years and an extension period of 5 years.

HMA v Jonathan Porter

Jun 28, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Wise sentenced Jonathan Porter to 4 years and 9 months in prison. The offender was found guilty of conspiracy to rape and sexually assault a child under the age of 13 years as well as taking, possession and distribution of indecent images and sexual touching of a child.

HMA v Gordon Jordan McKay

Jun 23, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Alistair Watson sentenced Gordon Jordan McKay to an extended sentence of 6 years, with a custodial period of 3 years, after the offender was found guilty of rape.

HMA v Michael Barry Reddington

Jun 22, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Michael Barry Reddington to 7 years imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to culpable and reckless conduct towards five people. Reddington was also banned from driving for life.

HMA v Kenneth Divers

Jun 21, 2023

At Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff Brian Mohan sentenced Kenneth Divers to a period of 5 years imprisonment for five charges of sexual abuse towards pupils while he was a teacher at a secondary school.

HMA v Ineta Dzinguviene

Jun 20, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lady Poole sentenced Ineta Dzinguviene to 8 years and 6 months imprisonment, after the offender pled guilty to culpable homicide on the basis of diminished responsibility.

HMA v Alan Graham Massie

Jun 14, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Fairley sentenced Alan Massie to life imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to murder. The punishment part, the minimum period which he must spend in prison before being able to apply to the Parole Board for Scotland for release on licence , was set at 20 years.

HMA v Alex Beck

Jun 14, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Tyre sentenced Alex Beck to four years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of rape.

HMA v James Purves

Jun 13, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh this morning, Lord Tyre sentenced James Purves to 10 years imprisonment. The offender had been found guilty of the rape and sexual abuse of two children. He was also placed in the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

HMA v Coran Michael Wells

Jun 13, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Poole sentenced Coran Michael Wells to 5 years in prison, with a further 1 year extension on licence. The offender was found guilty of the rape and sexual assault of two women.