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 Garry Tierney

Oct 5, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Garry Tierney to four years' imprisonment after he pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Mr Tierney was also disqualified from driving for a period of 7 years.

HMA v Alexander McConville

Oct 5, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Alexander McConville to 9 years' imprisonment after he was convicted of attempted murder. Mr McConville was also disqualified from driving for 12 years.

HMA v William MacDowell

Sep 30, 2022

At the High Court in Inverness, Lord Armstrong sentenced William MacDowell to life imprisonment for the murders of Renee MacRae and Andrew MacRae. The punishment part - the minimum period spent in prison before becoming eligible for parole - was set at 30 years.

HMA v Taylor Hanlon

Sep 14, 2022

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Frank Crowe sentenced Taylor Hanlon to 12 months' imprisonment for a breach of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, and a further 5 months for breaching bail conditions. He was also issued with a non-harassment order for a period of 15 years.

HMA v Margaret Ferrier

Sep 13, 2022

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull sentenced Margaret Ferrier to a Community Payback Order after she pled guilty to culpable and reckless conduct. Ms Ferrier will complete 270 hours of unpaid work as part of the order.

HMA v David Day

Sep 7, 2022

At the High Court in Lanark today, Lord Beckett sentenced David Day to 4 years and 4 months’ imprisonment after he pled guilty to causing the death of Esme Henderson by dangerous driving. Mr Day was also disqualified from driving for a period of 7 years and 10 months.

HMA v Steven McKee

Sep 7, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Poole sentenced Steven McKee to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he was convicted of rape and domestic abuse. The punishment part of the sentence was set at a minimum of 4 years’ imprisonment.

HMA v James McCairn

Aug 31, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge McCormick sentenced James McCairn to seven years' detention after he was convicted of the culpable homicide of Cerys Reeve. Mr McCairn was also convicted of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.

PF v David Llewellyn

Aug 31, 2022

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Fiona Reith QC deferred sentence on David Llewellyn for one year for him to be of good behaviour after he was convicted of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by making comments on social media. He will return to court on 31 August 2023.

HMA v Gavin McBryan

Aug 30, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Doherty sentenced Gavin McBryan to an extended sentence after he was convicted of three counts of rape and other sexual offences. The sentence comprises a custodial term of six years and three months and an extension period of three years.

HMA v Sean Twigg

Aug 29, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Doherty sentenced Sean Twigg to five years' imprisonment after he pled guilty to assault to severe injury and danger of life. Mr Twigg was also returned to prison for a further 250 days to serve an unexpired portion of a previous sentence.

HMA v Sami Ula Jabbar

Aug 16, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Mulholland sentenced Sami Ula Jabbar to 5 years imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for 12 years and 6 months after the offender pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

HMA v Michael Joseph Dorey

Aug 15, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Michael Joseph Dorey to life imprisonment for the murder of Jacqueline Grant. The punishment part of the sentence was set at 19 years.

HMA v KG

Aug 9, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Richardson sentenced KG to an extended sentence after he pled guilty to the robbery and attempted murder of an 85-year-old woman. The sentence comprises four years in custody on detention and three years on licence in the community.

HMA v John Watt QC

Aug 8, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Braid sentenced John Watt QC to 10 years imprisonment after he was convicted of five charges involving the sexual abuse of children. Mr Watt was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

HMA v Grace Ross

Aug 8, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Braid sentenced Grace Ross to a Community Payback Order after she pled guilty to causing the death of Joshua Kerr by careless driving. Ms Ross was ordered to perform 300 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for a period of five years.

HMA v Ian Ramsay

Aug 5, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Richardson imposed an extended sentence of 16 years on Ian Ramsay after the offender was convicted of 16 charges of domestic abuse against 9 women. The sentence will consist of a custodial term of 13 years and an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Raymond Lamb

Jul 29, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Watson sentenced Raymond Lamb to 2 years imprisonment and disqualified the offender from driving for 5 years, after he was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

HMA v Lars Thor Pedersen

Jul 25, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Doherty sentenced Lars Pedersen to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he pled guilty to rape. The punishment part of the sentence was set at 3 years and 2 months.

HMA v Gordon Couch

Jul 21, 2022

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Kenneth Campbell QC sentenced Gordon Couch to three years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of embezzling a sum of £170,000.