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 Craig Andrew McQuillian
May 22, 2024
On sentencing, Lord Mulholland told McQuillian:
“Craig Andrew McQuillian, you have pled guilty to trying to murder the occupants of a tenth floor flat in a high rise block 14-storeys high. The block contains 56 flats. You poured petrol at the front door and set it alight. The front door is the flat’s only entrance or exit. There were two occupants in the flat, a man who you bore ill will to, and a nine year old boy. Had it not been for the quick thinking and bravery of one of the occupants, Thomas Shirley, in putting the fire out, you could easily have been facing a charge of murder. Goodness knows what could have happened if the fire spread to other flats in the tower block.
You need to look no further than the tragedy at Grenfell Tower to know the potential consequences of your criminal conduct.
After you set the fire, you did nothing to warn the occupants. You did not call the emergency services. Instead, you left the block of flats and got off your mark leaving the occupants to their fate.
In sentencing you, I take into account everything that has been said on your behalf, your criminal record although I do not place much weight on that as it is dated, the circumstances of your despicable crime, your motivation, and the timing of your plea of guilty and the benefits that brings to the criminal justice system as a whole.
I hereby sentence you to 6 years’ imprisonment which is reduced from a headline sentence of 9 years’ imprisonment to take account of the timing of your plea of guilty. I order that the sentence should run from 17 November 2023, the date you were first ordered into custody by the court for this matter.”
22 May 2024