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.
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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 Aymen Bejaoui
Jul 3, 2023
On sentencing Lord Matthews made the following remarks in court
"You pled guilty to attempted murder in circumstances which were described at the last hearing.
You and the complainer, whom you knew, met in Clyde Street, when you pulled out a knife and threatened to kill him. Whether that was an empty threat or not at the time, a few hours later in Union Street, in full view of members of the public, you ran towards the complainer and struck him twice on the chest with a knife.
Two female police officers who happened to be nearby very bravely intervened. One of them, PC Laura Begbie, kicked the knife from your hand and stood on it, before her colleague PC Elspeth Stevenson managed to place you in handcuffs.
The complainer suffered a collapsed lung and a chest drain was inserted. He will have permanent scarring and is lucky to be alive. Had it not been for prompt medical attention it is likely that he would have died.
I have read the Criminal Justice Social Work Report and taken account of what has been said on your behalf.
You claim that there was a history of bullying by the complainer and threats made by him to you but assuming that to be true, you should have gone to the police.
Instead you threatened him with a knife and attempted to murder him.
Mr Sweeney has said all that could be said but there is in truth very little mitigation other than your lack of previous involvement with the police.
Had this matter gone to trial you would have gone to prison for ten years. In view of your plea at a preliminary hearing you will instead be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of seven years and six months. The sentence will run from 15 August 2022, when you first appeared in court."
3 July 2023