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 Graeme Seivwright
Feb 5, 2026
On sentencing Lord Mulholland made the following remarks in court:
“You have pled guilty to a charge of wilful
fire raising which involved you travelling by car to HMP Grampian where you set
fire to prison officers’ cars, writing off three high value cars and causing
over £12,000 damage to two other cars. The total value of the damage is
£44,846. This was a sinister crime against the very people, prison officers,
tasked with executing the orders of the court. It was clearly intended to
intimidate and send a message to the people who worked at the prison. Prison
Officers do a difficult job which is often undervalued, and the courts take a
dim view of this type of criminal behaviour and lengthy sentences of
imprisonment will be imposed as punishment and a deterrent.
You have an extensive criminal record which
does you no credit.
In sentencing you I take into account the
circumstances of your crime, that you were on bail at the time, the terms of
the CJSWR, your criminal record, everything said on your behalf, and the timing
of your plea of guilty for which I give you a discount. Had you not pled
guilty when you did, I would have sentenced you to 7 years’ imprisonment (which
takes into account the totality principle). Taking account of the timing
of your plea of guilty, I sentence you to 5 years’ and 3 months’ imprisonment.
I apportion 6 months’ imprisonment for the bail aggravation.
I order that the sentence should run consecutively to the sentence currently being served by you.”
5 February 2026