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.  

Follow us if you wish to receive alerts as soon as statements are published. 

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.

Read more about civil judgments.

HMA v Derek Lincoln or Birks, also known as John Green

Aug 7, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Matthews sentenced Derek Lincoln or Birks, also known as John Green to 11 years and 6 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to child abuse.

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HMA v Craig Derrick, Brian Laing & David Till

Aug 6, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews imposed extended sentences on three prisoners after they pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide of another prisoner.

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HMA v Gary McInally and Stephen Owen Cairns

Aug 5, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today (5 August 2020), Lord Matthews sentenced Gary McInally and Stephen Owen Cairns to terms of imprisonment after the offenders pleaded guilty to forcing their way into a flat armed with knives and assaulting occupants.

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HMA v Peter Conoboy

Aug 4, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Matthews sentenced Peter Conoboy to 2 years and 3 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to placing a suspicious package in the foyer of a multi-occupant residential building as a bomb hoax.

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HMA v Gary Grimes

Jul 30, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Matthews sentenced Gary Grimes to 3 years and 9 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

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HMA v DL

Jul 30, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today (29 July 2020) Lord Arthurson imposed an extended sentence of 12 years on DL, with a custodial term of detention of 5 years and an extension period of 7 years after he pleaded guilty to three charges of rape.

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HMA v Matthew Donald Maltman known as Whyte

Jul 27, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Judge Buchanan imposed an order for lifelong restriction with a punishment part of 5 years and 3 months on Matthew Donald Maltman (known as Whyte) after he pleaded guilty to presenting knives at his victims, threatening to kill them, detaining them against their will, robbing them and forcing them to engage in sexual activity with each other.

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HMA v Peter Cannon

Jul 27, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Judge Buchanan imposed an order for lifelong restriction with a punishment part of 4 years 10 months on Peter Cannon after he pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

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HMA v Aaron Thomas James Hickman

Jul 27, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Uist sentenced Aaron Thomas James Hickman to 3 years 9 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to sexual assault and attempted rape.

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HMA v William Robert Frank Gall

Jul 23, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Matthews sentenced William Robert Frank Gall to 3 years imprisonment and disqualified him from holding and obtaining a driving licence for 6 years and 6 months after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

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HMA v AE

Jul 21, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Uist sentenced AE to 3 years 9 months detention after the accused pled guilty to rape and sexual and physical assault.

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HMA v John Bain Johnstone

Jul 20, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Fairley sentenced John Bain Johnstone to 32 months imprisonment and disqualified the accused from driving for 5 years and 4 months after he pled guilty to causing the death of Hanno Garbe by dangerous driving.

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HMA v James Whitton Kerr

Jul 10, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews imposed an extended sentence on James Whitton Kerr of 13 years and 6 months with an extension period of 6 years after the offender pleaded guilty to a catalogue of sexual abuse and violent offending.

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HMA V Janey Mains

Jul 6, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews sentenced Jayney Mains to 6 years and 8 months imprisonment after the offender plead guilty to the culpable homicide of Alistair MacFadyen.

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HMA v Stephen Scott

Jun 26, 2020

At Glasgow High Court today Lord Arthurson sentenced Stephen Scott to 4 years imprisonment after he pled guilty to carrying cocaine in the car he was driving.

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HMA v Charlene Keenan or Gallacher

Jun 26, 2020

At Glasgow High Court today Lord Arthurson sentenced Charlene Keenan or Gallacher to 5 years imprisonment after she pled guilty to storing cocaine behind a kitchen skirting board in the property at which she resided.

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HMA v Frank Mayne

Jun 26, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Pentland imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Frank Mayne after the offender was found guilty of a catalogue of sexual and violent offences committed over a long period of years against vulnerable women and children.

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HMA v Griselt Maranaku & Elton Bega

Jun 19, 2020

At Glasgow High Court today (19 June 2020) Judge Murphy QC sentenced Griselt Maranaku and Elton Bega after they were found guilty of serious sexual offences. Griselt Maranaku was sentenced to 4 years and 7 months imprisonment and Elton Bega was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment.

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HMA v Naser Ellase

Jun 19, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Boyd of Duncansby sentenced Naser Ellase to five years imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of rape.

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HMA v Alan Robert Boulter & James Elder

Jun 18, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today (18 June 2020) Lord Fairley sentenced Alan Robert Boulter to 5 years and 4 months imprisonment and James Elder to 2 years imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

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