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 Kris Clark

Dec 8, 2023

At the High Court in Livingston today, Lord Arthurson imposed a 15 years extended sentence on Kris Clark. The offender had been convicted of a series of sexual offences, including rape and coercion, and will serve a custodial period of 10 years with a further 5 at licence in the community.

HMA v Ben Moss

Dec 7, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lady Haldane imposed an extended sentence of 13 years and 3 months on Ben Moss after he pled guilty to 20 serious crimes covering a broad range of offences including threatening and abusive behaviour, assault, sexual assault, sending indecent images and rape. The custodial part will be 8 years and 3 months with an extension period of 5 years to be served in the community.

HMA v Colin McGhee

Nov 30, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Scott sentenced Colin McGhee to 5 years and 10 months in prison after the offender admitted endangering the lives of the occupants of a block of flats through wilful fireraising.

HMA v Duncan Roy Houston

Nov 29, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Drummond sentenced Duncan Roy Houston to 4 years in prison after the offender was convicted of repeatedly raping a child. The sentence took into account a previous 8 year term for offences towards the same child and two others. He remains on the Sex Offenders Register and is added to the list of persons deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

HMA v John-Ross Rennie

Nov 28, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Scott imposed a Community Payback Order of 150 hours unpaid work and 6 months supervision on John-Ross Rennie. The offender was found guilty of reset relating to cryptocurrency.

HMA v Kettle Produce Limited

Nov 24, 2023

At Dundee Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown fined Kettle Produce Limited £360,000 after a member of staff was severely injured whilst cleaning machinery.

HMA v Barry Simon Peter Easton Cassidy

Nov 24, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole imposed an extended sentence of 6 and a half years on Barry Cassidy for serious assaults on two children. The offender will spend 4 and a half years in prison and 2 years on licence in the community.

HMA v Kyle Victor Allan

Nov 24, 2023

At the High Court in Dundee today, Lord Ericht sentenced Kyle Victor Allan to eight years in prison after the offender pled guilty to rape to severe injury and danger of life. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

HMA v Liam Hughes

Nov 21, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Young imposed and extended sentence of 10years on Liam Hughes. This includes 6 years and 6 months in prison and 3 years and 6 months on licence in the community. The offender had been found guilty of the rape of three teenage girls.

HMA v Scott Gilligan

Nov 15, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Stacey sentenced Scott Gilligan to 7 years and 6 months in prison. Gilligan had admitted causing death by dangerous driving and also seriously injuring a pedestrian. He has been banned from driving for 9 years and 9 months.

HMA v Mark Fordham

Nov 9, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Matthews imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Mark Fordham after the offender pled guilty to two attempted child sex offences. Fordham has also been sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison.

HMA v Ian Higgins

Nov 6, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Young imposed a £400 fine on Ian Higgins. Higgins had pled guilty to a contempt of court by refusing to perform the duties required of a juror.

HMA v Christopher Cook

Nov 3, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Weir sentenced Christopher Cook to life imprisonment for the murder of Jacqueline Kerr. Cook must serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole.

HMA v Alan Clark

Oct 31, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Gallacher imposed an extended sentence of 9 years and 6 months on Alan Clark. The offender was found guilty of detaining a person against their will, assault, theft and driving offences. The punishment part of the sentence is 5 years and 6 months imprisonment with a further 4 years at licence in the community.

HMA v Edward Lochrie

Oct 27, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Young sentenced Edward Lochrie to 7 years in prison after he was convicted of rape. Lochrie has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.

HMA v James Maxwell

Oct 26, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Ericht imposed an extended sentence of 9 years on James Maxwell after the offender pled guilty to gun and ammunition charges, as well as further charges relating to pornography. The extended sentence comprises a custodial term of 5 years with an extension period of 4 years. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 7 years.

HMA v Andrew White

Oct 25, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Doherty handed Andrew White an extended sentence of 8 years 4 months for assaulting two babies, one to the danger of life. The sentence comprises a custodial period of 6 years 4 months and a 2 year extension. White has also been issued with non-harassment orders.

HMA v Christopher McGowan

Oct 25, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Judge MG O’Grady sentenced Christopher McGowan to life with a minimum period in custody of 23 years for the murder of Claire Inglis. McGowan had previously been found guilty following a trial.

HMA v Stuart Watt

Oct 24, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Doherty handed Stuart Watt an extended sentence of 8 years, which includes a custodial period of 6 years and a 2 year extension, for rape and sexual assault. He has been added to the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and issued with non-harassment orders.

HMA v Christopher Tiffoney and James Jamieson

Oct 23, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Scott sentenced Christopher Tiffoney and James Jamieson to 4 years and 9 months in prison. The pair pled guilty to being involved in serious organised crime and the supply of drugs. They will also be subject to Serious Crime Prevention Orders for 3 years after their release.

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