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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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 Campbell Petrie

Oct 16, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Alistair Watson imposed a 15-year extended sentence on Campbell Petrie. The offender was found guilty by a jury of sexual offences against two women. Petrie will serve a 12-year prison term and spend a further 3 years on licence in the community.

Judge Watson made the following comments when delivering sentence:

"Campbell Petrie, you have been convicted by the jury of serious and repeated physical and sexual abuse of two former partners. The offending spanned a period of almost 15 years during which time, first one intimate partner, then the other, was subjected to a catalogue of episodes of abuse including a number of rapes, and other sexual and physical assaults.

The gravity of this sustained course of criminal conduct cannot be overstated, and it is my duty to impose a sentence which reflects its seriousness and its persistence. The sentence must be one which meets the requirements not only of punishment and deterrence but also addresses public protection.

I observe that in your interview with the writer of the criminal justice social work report you maintain your denial of guilt in the face of the evidence that was given and despite the verdict of the jury. It is said in the report that you claim that you cannot recall acting in the manner set out in the charges and that you were never aware that your victims felt you had assaulted them. In the circumstances these appear bizarre statements. I hear what is said by Counsel on your behalf about your position at interview and indicators within the report of a level of insight. Nevertheless, your continuing denial of responsibility for your behaviour is disappointing.

I have read and considered the eloquent and moving descriptions which have been provided to the court by both of your former partners. They each describe the trauma they have suffered at your hands, and both give detail of the deep and enduring psychological harm which still affects them today. Both have shown remarkable courage throughout the proceedings from the point of making the necessary disclosures, through the court process, to the point of facing cross-examination as to their honesty at trial. It was obvious at trial that each still suffers the enduring pain of what has occurred. I hope that the resolution of these proceedings today may close a chapter in their lives and allow each of them to move on in the process of recovery.

It may be noted for those who represent you that, had I imposed separate and individual sentences in respect of each of the crimes before me, I would have considered that individually the charges of rape in terms of the recently published Scottish guidelines would have fallen at level A2 in charges 5 and 13, and B2 in charges 6 and 14. I will however impose a sentence which deals in its entirety with the whole of your criminal conduct.

I am satisfied that the terms of section 210A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 is engaged. I consider that an extended sentence is necessary having regard to the risk you pose of significant harm to the public, and in particular to females. Accordingly, I impose an extended sentence of 15 years imprisonment in total, comprising a custodial term of 12 years and, following your release from the custodial part, a 3-year extension period to be served within the community.

You should understand that the 3-year extension period is part of the prison sentence, and during that period you will be subject to careful supervision and monitoring of your conduct. If, during that period, you failed fully to comply with the conditions set for your conduct, you may then be returned to prison to serve the remainder of the sentence in a custodial setting.

As a consequence of your conviction and the sentence imposed, you will be subject to registration in terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 indefinitely. In addition, I will make non-harassment orders in favour of both of the complainers. You should understand that a breach of either of these orders could result in you being further imprisoned. Each order will last for an indefinite period and will have 2 conditions; (a) you must not communicate or attempt to communicate with the complainer either directly or indirectly by any means; and (b) you must not approach within 100 metres of either complainer at any time or place, or approach within 100 metres of any premises at which you know or have reason to believe either of them may be present within."

16 October 2026