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.

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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.

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Read more about victims of crime and sentencing.

HMA v Nathan Johnston

Aug 21, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole sentenced Nathan Johnston to an extended sentence after he pled guilty to attempted murder. The custodial part was set at 6 years and 8 month, and the extension period was set at 3 years.

On sentencing, Lady Poole said:

"Nathan Johnston, you pled guilty to a charge of attempted murder at the High Court in Edinburgh on 29 July 2025.

When you were 25, you attacked a 20 year old man with a knife. You came across your victim, who was known to you, in the street. You started following him. He tried to get into a house to escape, and banged on the door shouting for help. You took a kitchen knife from your pocket, and repeatedly struck your victim with it on his head. Your victim’s arms were also cut after he raised his arms to protect himself. The householders could hear what was going on and opened their door, to find blood spattered on it and the ground.

Your victim was badly injured. He had three lacerations on his head of 12, 8 and 4cm that had to be closed with 24 staples. He also had 5 defensive injuries to his right hand. It was upsetting to his partner dealing with the immediate aftermath. Your victim had to have an operation to repair his hand under general anaesthetic. He has been left with scars, both physical and mental. His hand still causes him pain. What you did has adversely affected your victim’s health, work, relationship, mood and confidence.

You are 26 years old. Although your list of previous convictions is short, it includes resisting the police, but more concerningly assault and threatening and abusive behaviour in 2017, both involving a knife. Despite the supervision you received for three years under the sentence of the court in 2017, in 2024 you have reoffended with a knife.

I have considered the criminal justice social work report that I ordered, and the risk assessment in it.

I have taken into account everything said in mitigation on your behalf. You have had a troubled background. I note that there was some history between you and your victim. About 6 months prior to your offence, your victim appears to have sent threatening messages to you including a picture of a knife, at about the time you yourself were attacked by another person. You had not coped well with that attack, in which you were injured. You have a history of mental health problems, with various diagnoses, and you have had treatment in the past for trauma. You also have a history of alcohol and drug abuse, and difficulty since adolescence with emotional regulation and mood. You pled guilty to your appalling crime at an early stage. You have also expressed remorse, regret and shame for your offending.

Nevertheless a conviction for attempted murder must attract a significant sentence. You have not previously been sentenced to imprisonment or detention but, given the nature and seriousness of the crime to which you have pled guilty, no other method of dealing with you is appropriate.

I impose an extended sentence of 9 years and 8 months on you, because I do not consider that the ordinary licence period would be adequate to protect the public from serious harm from you on your release. The custodial part of your extended sentence is 6 years and 8 months, reduced from 10 years for your guilty plea. The custodial part will be followed by an extension period of 3 years, during which you will be on licence on conditions fixed by the Scottish Ministers. If you fail to comply with the conditions, the licence may be revoked and you may be returned to custody; and you may also be sentenced for an offence committed while on licence.

You spent 9 days in custody after you first appeared on petition, and you have been in custody since 29 July 2025 when you plead guilty. Your sentence is therefore backdated to 20 July 2025.

You are also subject to the non-harassment order which I imposed when your case first called before me in July 2025."