SENTENCING STATEMENTS

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HMA v Alexander Hunter

Sep 19, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Ross imposed a 12 years extended sentence on Alexander Hunter after the offender was convicted of the serious sexual abuse, including rape, of two people who were children at the time. The custodial term was set at 9 years with a three year extension period

On sentencing Lady Ross made the following remarks in court

(Some of the sentencing statement has been redacted to protect the identity of the complainers.)
"Alexander Hunter. The jury convicted you of all of the offences with which you were charged. These were crimes of serious sexual abuse, including rape. There were two complainers, who were children at the time. The first – I will call her A – was eight years old when, over the course of about a week, you sexually abused her and raped her. The second – I will call her B – you sexually abused over a much longer period, when she was aged between seven and fourteen. That included multiple rapes.

They suffered pain and fear. You knew that what you were doing was seriously wrong and you made them keep your horrible secret. You threatened them, telling them that if they told anyone what you were doing they would get into trouble and would be taken away from their families. That was cruel. Altogether, your behaviour was sickening.

Only as young adults did A and B feel able to report what you did. The harm that you inflicted still affects them. It was clear from what they told the court, and from what they have said since, that you have done long-lasting and serious damage.

I have read the social work report carefully and it gives me an understanding of your circumstances. You still deny that you did anything wrong. You show no remorse or empathy. You seem to feel sorry for yourself but not for anyone else.

I am especially concerned about the risk that you might commit crimes like these again, if you were to have the opportunity. You have a long way to go in facing up to what you have done and in understanding what needs to change. Based on what I have read about that, and about the risk that you present as a result, I take the view that, in order to protect the public from serious harm from you when you are eventually released, it is necessary to pass an extended sentence. That will be for a total of 12 years. The sentence is in two parts.

The first part of the sentence is an immediate period in custody. That will be for nine years. That is on a cumulo basis, which means that I am looking at all of the crimes together, against both A and B. That will be backdated to 21 August 2024. That was the date you were remanded. But that immediate period is not the end of your sentence.

The second part of your sentence will be served in the community. From the date of your release, you will be under licence for an extension period of three years. You will have to comply with licence conditions. If, during the extension period, you don’t comply, your licence may be revoked and you may be returned to prison for a further period in respect of this case.

I will make non harassment orders in the terms sought. They will be for an indefinite period.

I told you on 21 August 2024 but I repeat it now that you are subject to the notifications requirements in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

19 September 2024