SENTENCING STATEMENTS
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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 Mohammed Tariq
Jun 29, 2026
Upon sentencing, Lord Harrower made the following remarks:
"Mohammed Tariq, you have been found guilty of three charges of rape, one of which included a charge of sexual assault by penetration.
"All three charges related to incidents occurring during the course of a single night. The evening began innocently enough. You took the complainer to a cocktail bar. It was a first date. You both had a fair amount to drink. She invited you back to her student accommodation, having first bought more alcohol. You went outside and smoked a “joint”. The combination of the alcohol and the cannabis made her sick. You had to help her back inside. The CCTV recording showed her leaning on you for support. Back in her room, she lay on the bed, feeling very unwell, tired and dizzy. Such was her level of unresponsiveness, you had to manipulate her limbs in order to remove her clothing. As she drifted in and out of consciousness, you raped her three times. At one point, as she became more alert, she tried in vain to push you away. You also penetrated her vagina with your fingers, and then put your fingers in her mouth. Eventually, having been asked to leave on several occasions, you took the bus home.
"In sentencing you, I must assess the seriousness of your offence by reference to culpability and harm. This was a sustained attack on a vulnerable young woman in her own home. I am grateful to her for providing me with a personal statement, in which she describes in detail the devastating and lasting impact that your offending has had on her mental health, her academic life, her relationships, and her ability to carry out even the most mundane tasks. Applying the rape sentencing guideline, I assess the seriousness of your offence as level B for culpability and level 2 for harm.
"Mohammed Tariq, you are now 27 years’ old. The offences took place shortly before your 24th birthday. I have taken account of everything submitted on your behalf by Mr McKenzie, including the character references. It would appear that you have no convictions for analogous offending, and I take that into account too. I accept Mr McKenzie’s submission that the usual period of licence will be adequate to protect the public from serious harm from you when you are ultimately released. As a result, the sentence I will impose will be a sentence of imprisonment for 7 years, backdated to 29 May 2026, when you were remanded in custody.
"You will also be subject to the notification provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period.
"Finally, I will make a non-harassment order such that you may not contact, approach or communicate with the complainer, or attempt to contact, approach or communicate with her, either directly or indirectly, for an indefinite period."
25 June 2026