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 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.

HMA v Kelly & McLaughlin

Jan 19, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Summers sentenced Brian Kelly to six years' imprisonment after he was convicted of two assaults, attempted robbery and robbery. Lord Summers also sentenced Ross McLaughlin to two years and six months' imprisonment after he was also convicted of assault.

HMA v Matthew George and John Muldoon

Jan 13, 2023

At the High Court in Dundee today, Lady Drummond sentenced Matthew George to 16 years imprisonment and John Muldoon 12 years imprisonment after they were both convicted of multiple charges of physically and sexually abusing vulnerable children in their care at Kerelaw School.

HMA v Andrew Palfreman

Jan 13, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Summers sentenced Andrew Palfreman to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 12 years after the offender was found guilty of the murder of Barry MacLachlan

HMA v Jason Blair

Jan 13, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Susan Craig imposed an extended sentence of 11 years and 6 months on Jason Blair after the offender was convicted of two charges of rape on two separate women. The sentence comprises a custodial term of 8 years and 6 months with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Andrew Ness

Jan 10, 2023

At the High Court in Dundee, Lady Drummond sentenced Andrew Ness to 7 years and 6 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to sexual offences against two children over a period of 6 years.

HMA v Alfredo Ciociola

Dec 13, 2022

At the High Court in Livingston today, Lord Mulholland sentenced Alfredo Ciociola to 3 years' imprisonment for causing the deaths of five people by careless driving. Mr Ciociola also had his licence endorsed and was disqualified from driving for a period of ten years.

HMA v Jordan Cunningham

Dec 2, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lady Drummond imposed an extended sentence of 12 years on Jordan Cunningham, after the offender pled guilty to assault, culpable homicide and attempting to pervert the course of justice. This comprises a custodial term of 9 years with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Kevin Hood

Nov 16, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Kevin Hood to an extended sentence of 25 years after he was convicted of abduction, assault and rape to injury and danger of life. The custodial term was set at 15 years.

HMA v Jagpal Singh, Donglin Zhang, Vlassis Ntaoulias and Boonsong Wannas

Nov 14, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow on 10 November 2022, Judge Brown sentenced Jagpal Singh, Donglin Zhang, Vlassis Ntaoulias and Boonsong Wannas to periods of imprisonment ranging from 7 years to 10 years in respect of human trafficking involving exploitation through prostitution.

HMA v Mark Law

Nov 9, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Mark Law to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he pled guilty to brandishing a knife at staff at a mental health facility, as well as assault and behaving in a threatening an abusive manner. The punishment part of the sentence was set at 3 years.