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 Yvonne Keenan
May 28, 2025
On sentencing, Sheriff Hanlon said:
"Yvonne Keenan, on 28 April 2025, you pled guilty at a trial diet to four charges of cruel and unnatural treatment towards four children in your care. You abused that trust in a callous way. The offences took place over a number of years and involved vulnerable children at a time when they most needed care, protection, nurturing and love. You provided none of these. Instead, in a mixture of cowardice and cruelty you inflicted hunger, fear, humiliation and pain, both physical and emotional, upon them. Taking into account the nature of the offences I can see no alternative to a custodial sentence.
I have read the criminal justice social work report. I have had regard to your expression of remorse for the offences, albeit the report suggests you have minimised the offences and denied responsibility in relation to some of what took place. I have taken account of your personal, family and health circumstances. I have also taken into account everything said on your behalf in mitigation and the fact that this is your first offence.
I have also carefully considered the effect which your offences has had on the victims. It is hard to imagine how scared, confused and alone they must have felt at the time these offences took place. The information before me is that the emotional and psychological effects continue, impacting all aspects of their lives. This is of course understandable. However, I would also like to highlight and commend their bravery and the support they have shown to each other both at the time of these offences, while present in court and in providing the police with the evidence which led to this conviction. That bravery stands in sharp contrast to the shameful acts perpetrated upon them. No sentence I impose can undo the hurt they suffered, but I hope this process helps bring a sense of justice and closure.
Each of these offences on their own could have attracted a sentence of at least a year imprisonment. Charge 3 could have attracted a sentence in excess of that, given the extent of the cruelty inflicted. As you have never had a custodial sentence before, and to achieve an appropriate punishment, I am imposing a cumulo sentence. This means I am imposing one single sentence in respect of all of these matters and not imposing separate sentences on each offence.
I sentence you to a custodial sentence of 32 months’ imprisonment. This has been reduced from a headline sentence of 3 years’ imprisonment, having regard to the fact that you pled guilty. You have been on bail throughout proceedings and so your sentence will run from today. I will also ask that it be recorded in the record of proceedings that you should be referred to the Scottish Ministers to be placed on the Children’s list as someone unsuitable to work with children under 18 years of age.
Reasons for this sentence include punishment and to express society’s disapproval at such cruel behaviour towards vulnerable children."