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.  

Follow us if you wish to receive alerts as soon as statements are published. 

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.

Read more about civil judgments.

PF V Stan England Builders Limited

Nov 25, 2021

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Graeme Napier fined Stan England Builders Limited £6,000 after the company pleaded guilty to breaching Health and Safety working at height regulations.

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HMA v Enva Scotland Ltd.

Nov 25, 2021

At Paisley Sheriff Court today Sheriff Pettigrew imposed a fine of £264,000 on Enva Scotland Ltd after it pleaded guilty to a contravention of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 , in particular to failing to ensure the provision of such information, instruction and training as was necessary to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable , the health and safety at work of its employees. As a consequence of the Company’s failings, Mr. Kane, a plant supervisor, sustained fatal injuries.

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HMA v Garry McDonald

Nov 24, 2021

At the High Court at Edinburgh today, Lord Boyd sentenced Garry McDonald to an extended sentence of 12 years after the offender was found guilty of rape and other offences. The custodial part of the sentence is 10 years with 2 years extended.

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HMA v Lorna Middleton

Nov 17, 2021

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Clark sentenced Lorna Middleton to life imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of murdering her husband.

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HMA v Nathan Chung

Nov 17, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Boyd sentenced Nathan Chung to four years’ imprisonment after the offender was convicted of repeatedly raping a young woman.

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HMA v SAICA Natur UK Limited

Nov 16, 2021

At Airdrie Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Thomson fined SAICA Natur UK Limited £20,000 after the company pled guilty to a breach of regulation 23 of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007

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HMA v Greater Glasgow Health Board

Nov 12, 2021

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull fined the Greater Glasgow Health Board £200,000 following a guilty plea to a breach of the health and safety at work legislation.

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HMA v Connor Murray

Nov 10, 2021

At the High Court in Aberdeen Lord Richardson imposed an extended sentence of 10 years on Connor Murray after the offender was found guilty of the sexual abuse of six young women.

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HMA V Derek McNeill

Nov 10, 2021

At the High Court sitting in Livingston today, Lord Weir sentenced Derek McNeill to an Order for Life Long Restriction after the offender was found guilty of cruelty to a child.

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HMA v Gary Morris

Nov 8, 2021

At the High Court in Dundee, Lord Summers sentenced Gary Morris to 9 years and 4 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A Drug, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

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HMA v Michael Murphy

Nov 4, 2021

At the High Court at Edinburgh today Lady Carmichael sentenced Michael Murphy to seven years’ imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of sexual and physical assaults.

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HMA v Patrick Columb

Nov 4, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Carmichael sentenced Patrick Columb to life imprisonment after the offender was convicted of murder. The punishment part was set at 15 years.

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HMA v Simon Churchman

Oct 28, 2021

At the High Court sitting at Livingston, Lord Weir sentenced Simon Churchman to five years’ imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to firearms offences.

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HMA v Dylan Rigby

Oct 28, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Carmichael sentenced Dylan Rigby to an extended sentence of 10 years after the offender pled guilty to attempted murder. The custodial period is set at 7 years with 3 years in the community on licence under certain conditions.

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HMA v Scott Kelly

Oct 22, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Boyd sentenced Scott Kelly to 49 months imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of rape and assault

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HMA v Eric Lavender

Oct 15, 2021

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today Sheriff Kenneth Campbell QC imposed a Community Payback Order with a supervision requirement, 200 hours unpaid work a Restriction of Liberty Order and a compensation order in the amount of £38,960, on Eric Lavender after he pled guilty to embezzlement.

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HMA v Jack Whittle

Oct 14, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh on 29 September Lady Poole sentenced Jack Whittle to imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to firearms offences, and to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and ecstasy.

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HMA v Alexandru Adrian Tecla

Oct 14, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lady Poole sentenced Alexandru Adrian Tecla to 26 months imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of rape.

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HMA v Dillon Anderson

Oct 12, 2021

At the High Court sitting in Edinburgh, Lady Poole sentenced Dillon Anderson to an extended sentence of 13 years after the offender was found guilty of raping 4 different people.

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HMA v Gerard McGinlay

Oct 6, 2021

At the High Court at Glasgow, Lord Matthews sentenced Gerard McGinlay to life imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of murder.

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