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 Russell Maitland

Jan 14, 2025

At the High Court in Aberdeen, Judge Summers sentenced Richard Maitland to a 16 year extended sentence. The custodial part was set at 13 years, with an extension period under supervision in the community for 3 years.

HMA v Jason Murphy

Jan 9, 2025

At the High Court in Kilmarnock today, Lord Harrower sentenced Jason Murphy to 32 months in prison. Murphy had previously pled guilty to being involved in the supply of cocaine after being found in possession of around £400k of the class-A drug.

HMA v Charles Clydesdale

Jan 9, 2025

At the High Court in Livingston today, Judge Craig imposed a 2 year custodial sentence on Charles Clydesdale. The offender had been found guilty of lewd and indecent practices towards a 10 year old when he was 13. Clydesdale has been added to the sex offenders register and is also added to the list of people unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

HMA v Scott Wilson

Jan 8, 2025

At the High Court in Livingston, Judge Farquharson KC sentenced Scott Wilson to an extended sentence of 16 years after the offender was convicted of rape, assault and sexual assaults. The custodial part was set at 12 years' imprisonment.

HMA v James Ramsay

Jan 7, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Tait sentenced James Ramsay to a 3 year Community Payback Order after the offender pled guilty to sexual assault, stalking and communicating indecently. Ramsay was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for a period of 3 years.

HMA v George Young Murphy

Jan 7, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced George Young Murphy to 7 years and 8 months' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Murphy was also disqualified from driving indefinitely.

HMA v Francis McConnachie

Jan 6, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Francis McConnachie to 8 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of culpable homicide.

HMA v Alan Edward

Dec 19, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Tait sentenced Alan Edward to an extended sentence of 15 years after the offender pled guilty to firearm and terrorism offences. The custodial term was set at 10 years and the extension period, the time spent on licence in the community, was set at five years.

HMA v Bam Nuttall Limited

Dec 18, 2024

At Lerwick Sheriff Court, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank fined Bam Nuttall Limited £800,000 after they tendered a plea of guilty to a contravention of section 2(1) and section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, in relation to the death of Liam MacDonald.

HMA v Darren Glass

Dec 13, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh Judge Collins sentenced Darren Glass to 8 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of three charges of rape and one charge of domestic abuse. Judge Collins also made a non harassment order in respect of the complainers for a period of 15 years.

HMA v Nathan Cook

Dec 13, 2024

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Komorowski sentenced Nathan Cook to 33 months imprisonment after the offender was convicted of violent behaviour towards his then partner, of threatening behaviour towards others, and to have breached bail conditions intended to protect a possible victim.

HMA v Kelvin Forrest

Dec 13, 2024

At the High Court in Livingston Judge Craig imposed an extended sentence of 7 years on Kelvin Forrest after the offender was found guilty of two charges of rape. The extended sentence comprises a detention period of 4 years with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Michael Joyce

Dec 5, 2024

At the High Court in Stirling, Lady Poole sentence Michael Joyce to life Imprisonment after he was convicted of murder. Lady Poole set the punishment part at 16 years. This is the minimum time the offender will spend in prison before he can be considered for release on parole.

HMA v RH

Dec 3, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced RH to detention without limit of time after the 17-year-old pled guilty to murder. The punishment part, the minimum time spent in custody before parole can be considered, was set at 18 years.

HMA v Derek Gordon Lewis

Dec 3, 2024

At the High Court in Stirling, Lady Poole sentenced Derek Gordon Lewis to an extended sentence of 10 years and 8 months after he pled guilty to sexual assault and attempted rape. The custodial part of the sentence was set at 6 years and 8 months.

HMA v Finlay MacDonald

Nov 29, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Drummond sentenced Finlay MacDonald to life imprisonment for the murder of John MacKinnon, along with three further charges of attempted murder. MacDonald must serve a minimum punishment period of 28 years before being eligible to apply for parole.

HMA v Alan Todd

Nov 27, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Lake sentenced Alan Todd to an extended sentence of 13 years after the offender was convicted of the sexual abuse of three children. The custodial part of the sentence was set at 10 years.

HMA v Tendayi Darlington Magadu

Nov 27, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole sentenced Tendayi Darlington Magadu to an extended sentence of 9 years after he was convicted of two charges of rape and two charges of voyeurism. The custodial part of the sentence was set at 7 years.

HMA v Daniel McMillan Laponder

Nov 27, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Daniel McMillan Laponder to 9 years' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to wilful fire raising and a firearms offence.

HMA v Die Huang

Nov 25, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced Die Huang to 14 months' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Huang was also disqualified from driving for a period of 5 years and 7 months.

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