SENTENCING STATEMENTS
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HMA v Allan Hughes
Jan 8, 2026
On sentencing Lord Cubie made the following remarks in court:
"You have pled guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime and agreeing with others to concern yourselves in the supply of the class A drug diamorphine and to exchanging messages and images relating to the procurement of firearms and ammunition, offering to facilitate their sale and supply.
Your involvement endured for a period of 10 months, so not some short term involvement and with you making decisions and prompting contacts; so you were not a passive actor.
The drugs involved had a value of around £15,000 and just over £19,000 of cash was recovered.
Drugs have a corrosive and destructive effect; your own experience is testament to that; your drug dependence led you to this offending
The role that you accept in the procurement sale and supply of firearms is very concerning indeed; you were in contact with seven individuals and corresponded in relation to a total of at least 42 different firearms. The crown calculates that the value of the weapons concerned is at least £223,500.
The images and messages make it clear that you offered to provide specific firearms in your possession to various parties., and it is explicit in your plea that you accept involvement in serious organised crime and in enabling and furthering serious organised crime; It hardly needs said that the involvement of firearms in crime is a significant factor; the involvement of such weapons gives rise to fear and the potential and reality of catastrophic injuries or death. Firearms disrupt, disfigure and distort the operation of a lawful society.
The report demonstrates that you have been able to contribute to society in your role as a motor mechanic and you have maintained family relationships; you expressed awareness of the severity of the offence and the potential impact on the community. You were apparently introduced into this world as a result of being “in over your head”, another manifestation of the scourge of controlled drugs.
But as I have observed you were not a passive player and your previous conviction which involves being concerned in the supply of diamorphine and MDMA shows a more sustained involvement in this world. There no doubt were pressures and threats but your conduct as recognised by the reporter required pre-planning, coordination and organisation; indeed the agreed narrative reflects that you demonstrated the mechanisms of three different firearms and that told one prospective purchaser that you were only charging what you had paid for them. You were hands-on and active in the market for lethal weapons.
The previous conviction and previous sentence must be taken into account in determining the appropriate sentence today.
The public interest is high in suppressing criminal activity such as yours and in imposing an appropriate punishment given the potential outcomes involving lethal weapons
You have pled guilty to a contravention of section 28(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. What you have pled guilty to is extremely serious; I acknowledge that there could be more serious examples of this charge, by extending over a period of years rather than months for example. But these offences, the extent of the firearms involved and the period of time over which this offence was committed mean that a significant sentence must be imposed.
You will receive credit for your plea; you were fully committed on the indictment giving rise to this matter on 4 July 2024. You sought to adjust a plea through counsel on 25 September 2025 which was adjusted by 30 October; it cannot in terms of the jurisprudence be considered particularly early although there is a clear utilitarian value in tendering a plea.
The headline sentence which reflects your record, the nature of the offences and the potential consequences of the circulation of such weapons is 9 years; I will modify that by one quarter to six years and nine months. That sentence is to be served from the conclusion of the sentence which you are currently serving
You will be subject to the terms of the Serious Organised Crime Order for a period of three years upon your release from custody."