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 Craig Walker

Apr 3, 2023

At Glasgow High Court today, Lady Stacey sentenced Craig Walker to life imprisonment for the murder of Lauren Wilson and attempting to conceal evidence. The punishment part, the time spent in custody before being considered for parole, was set at 21 years.

HMA v Darren Bourn

Apr 3, 2023

Darren Bourn was sentenced to an extended sentence of eleven years at the High Court at Edinburgh today by Judge Norman McFadyen for the rape of a 14 year old girl. He was also sentenced to two years imprisonment for communicating indecently with two older women

HMA v Alan Crawford

Mar 29, 2023

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Kelly sentenced Alan Crawford to 12 months imprisonment and imposed a 5 year football banning order after the offender pled guilty to assault during a match at Ibrox Stadium.

HMA v Gary Campbell

Mar 24, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Beckett imposed an extended sentence of 15 years imprisonment on Gary Campbell after the offender pled guilty to child sex offences. The extended sentence comprises a custodial term of 12 years with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Marc Alexander Fortune

Mar 22, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews sentenced Marc Alexander Fortune to 6 years imprisonment after he pled guilty to causing the death of John Alexander King and injuring two children by dangerous driving. Fortune was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.

HMA v Graham Garforth

Mar 22, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews imposed an extended sentence of 9 years and 9 months on Graham Garforth after the offender pled guilty to assault that led to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of the complainer's life. The extended sentence comprises a custodial term of 6 years and 9 months with an extension period of 3 years .

PF Edinburgh v Rufus McLean

Mar 16, 2023

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss sentenced Rufus McLean to complete 120 hours of unpaid work after he pled guilty to domestic abuse. A 10 year Non-Harrassment Order was also made in respect of the complainer.

HMA v James Farrell

Mar 15, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Clark sentenced James Farrell to 2 years and 8 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to sharing a firearms video and recklessly encouraging acts of terrorism.

HMA v Christopher Harrisson

Mar 9, 2023

At the High Court in Aberdeen today, Lord Richardson sentenced Christopher Harrisson to life imprisonment for the murder of Dr Brenda Page. The punishment part, the time spent in custody before being considered for parole, was set at 20 years.

HMA v James Cunningham

Mar 2, 2023

At the High Court in Livingston, Judge Susan Craig imposed an extended sentence of 16 years on James Cunningham after the offender was convicted of multiple rapes, serious physical assaults and sexual assaults over a twenty three year period.

HMA v Isla Bryson

Feb 28, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Scott sentenced Isla Bryson to an extended sentence of 11 years, in cumulo, for two charges of rape. The custodial term was set at 8 years, with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Heather McKenzie

Feb 23, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge David Young KC sentenced Heather McKenzie to 75 and a half months' imprisonment after she pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. She was also sentenced to 21 and a half months' imprisonment for being concerned in the supply of a class C drug, and 16 months' imprisonment for supplying mobile telephones in prison. The sentences will run concurrently.

HMA v Craig Melville

Feb 22, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Fairley sentenced Craig Melville to 6 years' imprisonment after he pled guilty to causing the death of his son by dangerous driving. Mr Melville also caused the serious injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment of another female passenger in his vehicle.

HMA v Graeme Scott

Feb 20, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson imposed an extended sentence of 14 years on Graeme Scott, after the offender pled guilty to threatening to disclose images which shows, or appears to show, another person in an intimate situation, sending indecent communications and threats of sexual violence.

HMA v Matthew Adams

Feb 17, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole sentenced Matthew Adams to 64 months' imprisonment after he pled guilty to the culpable homicide of Wayne Elliot.

Malina Rush

Feb 13, 2023

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Andrew Cubie fined Malina Rush £1000 after she accepted being in contempt of court by accessing information on the internet while acting as a juror.

HMA v Andrew Innes

Feb 6, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Beckett sentenced Andrew Innes to life imprisonment for the murders of Bennylyn Burke and her two year old daughter Jellica. The punishment part, the time spent in prison before being considered for parole, was set at 36 years.

HMA v Andrew Raymond McLeod

Jan 26, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Andrew Raymond McLeod to life imprisonment for the murder of John Dalziel. The punishment part, the time spent in prison before becoming eligible for parole, was set at 20 years.

HMA v Ross Cummins

Jan 25, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Ross Cummins to an extended sentence of 18 years after he was convicted of multiple rapes of a woman and a child. The custodial part was set at 13 years, with an extension period of 5 years.

HMA v Kenneth Melville

Jan 24, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Kenneth Melville to life imprisonment for the murder of his partner Yvonne Barr. The punishment part, the minimum time spent in prison before becoming eligible for parole, was set at 17 years.