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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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 Dionne Wilson
Jan 6, 2026
On sentencing, Lord Mulholland told Wilson:
“Dionne Wilson, you have been convicted of stabbing Sara Irvine to death. She was unarmed and you armed yourself with a knife and stabbed her on the chest causing her a catastrophic injury which caused her massive internal haemorrhage and ultimately cardiac arrest. After you stabbed her, you did not wait to help her or get help for her or check on her wellbeing. You got out of the flat, discarded your bloody clothing and went home and washed your hair and body and put your bloody jeggings in the washing machine.
When the police eventually gained entry to the flat you pretended to them that you had been there all night with your boyfriend whose movements were curtailed as a result of a tag.
You have shown no remorse for what you did. You went to the flat which was a crack den to score drugs and following an exchange of words you stabbed Sara Irvine to death. She didn’t deserve what you did, and you will or should have this on your conscience for the rest of your life. Taking someone’s life is a very serious matter. You have visited a life sentence of grief and loss to her friends, partner and family and you will be punished for that.
In sentencing you, I take into account everything said on your behalf, the circumstances of the crime you were convicted of, your previous convictions which include crimes of violence and the terms of the CJSWR.
I hereby sentence you to ten years’ imprisonment which I will order to run from 18 April 2024, the date you were first ordered into custody by the court for this matter.”
6 January 2026