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.
Follow us if you wish to receive alerts as soon as statements are published.
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 William Henry Parsons
Aug 27, 2024
On sentencing, Lord Young said:
“William Henry Parsons, you pled guilty to a reduced charge of sexual assault. In November 2021, your victim was booked into the hotel which you had a business interest in and where you worked. He arrived late in the evening. He had been drinking alcohol throughout the day. His state of intoxication was obvious to both the police officers who booked the hotel for him, and the managing director at the hotel. You spoke to him in the hotel bar and would have been aware that he ordered significant quantities of alcohol from the bar which he took to his room. You went with him to his room as he had lost his key and required you to let him in using your master key. As you now recognise by virtue of your guilty plea, your victim’s level of intoxication that evening was such that he did not have capacity to consent to any sexual conduct. While in his room, you performed oral sex on him. A short time after you left his room, your victim contacted a friend asking her to call the police as he had been sexually assaulted.
I have read the criminal justice social work reports and the clinical psychological report. I have also listened to what Miss Connor has said on your behalf. You are now aged 71 and have some health problems. You have no previous convictions and a good work record.
Turning now to the form of disposal. Ms Connor has urged a community based disposal. I recognise that your personal circumstances and the fact that you present a lower risk of sexual re-offending are factors in favour of such a disposal. You also have the benefit of a statutory protection which directs that a custodial sentence can only be imposed if there is no other appropriate disposal. However, I have concluded that the seriousness of the offending in this case requires the imposition of a custodial sentence.
This was a highly intimate sexual assault involving contact with the victim’s naked genitalia. The victim was heavily intoxicated and therefore in a vulnerable state. He was a guest in your hotel and it was your role within the hotel which gave you access to carry out this serious sexual assault. Rather than looking after your intoxicated guest - you took advantage of his state. I do not have a victim impact statement in this case but I can see from the agreed narrative that the victim was in a distressed state when police attended. Such information as I was given at the trial diet indicates that he remained upset and anxious at that time.
You pled guilty shortly before the jury were sworn in. I do not propose to make any deduction from the headline sentence in this case. The utilitarian value of such a late plea was very limited. While it did spare the victim having to give evidence, he still had to attend the remote location from where he was to give evidence. All in all, this plea came too late to save your victim from experiencing the anxiety and upset of attending court and I am exercising my discretion not to make any discount to the headline sentence.
Having regard to the serious nature of the offence, the harm caused to your victim and all your personal circumstances, I sentence you to 18 months imprisonment. For the avoidance of doubt, that sentence will commence from today’s date.
As a result of your conviction, you are subject to the notification requirements in the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Given the sentence just imposed, you are subject to those notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for a period of 10 years.
I shall also impose a non harassment order upon you. You must not contact or attempt to contact the complainer identified in the charge for a period of 10 years.”
27 August 2024