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.

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 Michael Nolan

May 19, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Matthews imposed an extended sentence on Michael Nolan with a custodial element of 6 years and 5 months and an extension period of 3 years after he pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other offences involving assault and breach of the peace. In addition the offender was also sentenced to 138 days which was imposed from 19 May 2020 in terms of Section 16 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 to reflect the fact that he committed the offences while on licence

HMA v Peter Cameron

May 13, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lady Scott imposed an order for lifelong restriction with a punishment part of 6 years on Peter Cameron, after the accused pleaded guilty to 1 charge of attempted murder, 1 charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement, and was found guilty of another charge of attempted murder.

HMA v Donovan Reid

May 5, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Judge Andrew Cubie sentenced Donovan Reid to an extended sentence of 6 years after the offender was found guilty of assaulting and robbing a 76-year-old man.

HMA v Tharaneetharan Manikkavasagar

May 4, 2020

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Andrew Cubie sentenced Tharaneetharan Manikkavasagar to an extended sentence of two years and eight months, after the offender plead guilty to four charges of sexual assaults on bus journeys.

HMA v James McMillan

Apr 29, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Uist sentenced James McMillan to 3 years and 4 months’ imprisonment after the offender pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of just over 6 kilos of heroin.

HMA v Sarah Cockburn

Apr 27, 2020

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Andrew Cubie sentenced Sarah Cockburn to 22 months’ imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to embezzling nearly £240,000 from her employer, James McVicar Printers.

HMA v Steven Loughton

Apr 24, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Beckett imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Steven Loughton after the offender was found guilty of killing his brother (culpable homicide) by reason of diminished responsibility.

HMA v Alastair Greig

Apr 15, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Tyre sentenced Alastair Greig to 14 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of large scale fraud.

HMA v Keith Rizzo

Apr 6, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lady Rae sentenced Keith Rizzo to life imprisonment after the offender was convicted of murdering his girlfriend. The punishment part (the minimum time the offender must serve in prison before being considered by the Parole Board for Scotland for possible release on a life licence with conditions), was set at 22 years. If still considered a serious risk after the punishment part has expired, the offender will not be released.

HMA v John McCallister

Mar 27, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today (27 March 2020) Judge Cubie sentenced John McCallister to 8 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of 3 charges of rape.

HMA v Keith Farquharson

Mar 23, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lady Stacey sentenced Keith Farquharson to imprisonment for life after the offender was found guilty of murdering his wife.

HMA v Jason Watson

Mar 13, 2020

At Glasgow High Court on Wednesday 12 March 2020 Judge Cubie sentenced Jason Watson to 3 years 4 months imprisonment and a supervised release order for a period of 12 months, the accused was also disqualified from driving for 68 months, after he was found guilty of assaulting two men and their dogs with a car.

HMA v James Martin

Mar 12, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today (12 March 2020) Lord Boyd of Duncansby imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on James Martin after the offender admitted attempting to murder his mother. This is a sentence of imprisonment for an indefinite time with release only if the Parole Board is satisfied that the offender would no longer endanger public safety. The minimum time the offender must serve before the Parole Board can consider release is 4 years.

HMA v Lucjan Krzeminiski

Mar 11, 2020

At the High Court in Aberdeen today (11 March 2020) Lord Arthurson sentenced Lucjan Krzeminiski to 6 years imprisonment after he was convicted of rape.

HMA v David Bowman

Mar 9, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Monday 9 March 2020, Lord Boyd sentenced David Bowman to 7 years imprisonment after the accused was found guilty of the historical sexual abuse of young boys.

HMA v Mikey James Durdle

Mar 5, 2020

At the High Court in Aberdeen today (5 March 2020) Lord Arthurson sentenced Mikey James Durdle to 3 years imprisonment after he pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

HMA v Wayne Ashley Banks

Mar 5, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today 5 March, 2020, Lord Uist sentenced Wayne Ashley Banks to 10 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of 14 offences involving physical and sexual violence and drugs offences.

HMA v David Neill

Feb 28, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Judge Hughes QC sentenced David Neill to 7 years imprisonment after he was convicted of charges of indecent assault.

HMA v Caroline Thomson

Feb 24, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today, 24 February, Lady Rae sentenced Caroline Thomson to 9 years imprisonment after the accused pled guilty to assaulting a baby to his permanent impairment and disfigurement, and to the danger of his life.

HMA v Lee Thomas John Thomson

Feb 21, 2020

At Edinburgh High Court today, Lord Pentland imposed an extended sentence of 13 years with a custodial term of 9 years on Lee Thomas John Thomson after the offender was convicted of charges including assault and rape.