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 Ruaridh Levey

Jul 31, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Ericht sentenced Ruaridh Levey to life imprisonment after the offender was convicted of murder. The punishment part, the time which the offender must spend in custody before being considered for parole, was set at 18 years.

HMA v Barry Allan Shankly

Jul 25, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Kevin McCallum KC imposed an extended 14 year sentence, with a 13 year custodial term and 1 year extension, on Barry Shankly. The offender had been found guilty after a trial of pushing his victim over a banister and falling to her severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of her life, as well as other domestic abuse charges. He has also been issued with indefinite non-harassment orders.

HMA v Barry Thomas Marshall

Jul 25, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Poole sentenced Barry Thomas Marshall to 10 years’ imprisonment after the offender was convicted of attempted murder and robbery.

HMA v Hayley Matthews

Jul 25, 2024

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Alison Stirling imprisoned Hayley Matthews for 2 years and 3 months. The offender had previously pled guilty to embezzling £120,000 over a 3 year period.

HMA v Shaun Charles

Jul 25, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Kevin McCallum KC imposed a 10 year extended sentence on Shaun Charles. The offender had pled guilty to repeatedly stabbing a man. The sentence comprises 8 years imprisonment with a 2 year extension period on licence in the community.

HMA v Owen Kevin Orr

Jul 24, 2024

On 29 May 2024 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Owen Kevin Orr was convicted after trial of raping four women and other abusive behaviour concerning those women and a further woman. At the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh on 24 July 2024 Lord Doherty sentenced him to an extended sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment with a custodial term of 11 years and an extension period of 4 years.

HMA v Kurtis James Taylor

Jul 23, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Brown sentenced Kurtis Taylor to 6 years imprisonment. The offender had previously pled guilty to being involved in the supply of drugs.

HMA v Alastair Nicolson

Jul 19, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Weir sentenced Alastair Nicholson to 14 years imprisonment after the offender was found guilty 9 charges including assault and rape; assault to injury and assault to injury and danger of life.

HMA v Kevin Campbell

Jul 17, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Kevin Campbell to life imprisonment for the murder of Mairi Doherty. The punishment part of the sentence, the time which must be spent in prison before parole is considered, was set at 17 years.

HMA v Cameron Downing

Jul 16, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Stirling imposed an extended sentence of 9 years on Cameron Downing after the offender was convicted of 10 charges including assault, sexual assault and domestic abuse. The sentence comprises a custodial term of six years and a 3-year extension period in the community.

HMA v Zineelabbine Abbood

Jul 16, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Welsh KC sentenced Zineelabbine Abbood to 5 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of rape. Abbood was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

HMA v Christopher Harkins

Jul 10, 2024

At the High Court in Kilmarnock Judge Alistair Watson sentenced Christopher Harkins to 12 years in prison after the offender was convicted of 19 offences including rape, assault, physical abuse and fraud.

HMA v Beni Mubiala

Jul 8, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow Judge Kevin McCallum KC imposed an extended sentence of 11 years on Beni Mubiala after the offender pled guilty to two charges of rape. The extended sentence comprises of a custodial term of 9 years and an extension period of 2 years.

HMA v Rizwan Afzal

Jul 3, 2024

At the High Court in Dundee, Lady Drummond sentenced Rizwan Afzal to 3 years imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of 8 years.

HMA v Mark James Connor & Stewart John Muircroft

Jul 3, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Mark Connor and Stewart Muircroft to life imprisonment for the murder of Alan West. Both must serve a minimum period of 20 years in prison before being considered for release.

HMA v Robert Greig, Kieran Crawford, Jamie Fullerton, Laughlin Duffy & Dylan Marshall

Jul 1, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson imprisoned Robert Greig for 7 years & 6 months after he pled guilty to culpable homicide. Kieran Crawford, Jamie Fullerton, Laughlin Duffy and Dylan Marshall all pled guilty to charges of assault to severe injury. Crawford & Fullerton will be imprisoned for 2 years. Duffy & Marshall received 18 months detention.

HMA v Bill Russell Ray McKenzie

Jun 27, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Poole imposed a community payback order of 300 hours unpaid work on Bill Russell Ray McKenzie. He had previously pled guilty to causing death by careless driving. McKenzie has also been disqualified from driving for 5 years and must resit an extended test if he chooses to drive again

HMA v Qin Huang, Xiao Min & Guolei Huang

Jun 25, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Poole imprisoned Qin Huang for 8 years and Xiao Min for 8 years 6 months after the pair pled guilty to human trafficking. Guolei Huang received 4 years 3 months having pled guilty to brothel keeping. Charges against all 3 were aggravated by a connection to serious organised crime.

HMA v Morgan Houldsworth

Jun 24, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Tyre imposed an extended sentence of 9 years and 8 months on Morgan Houldsworth after the offender pled guilty to attempted murder. The extended sentence comprises a custodial term of 6 years and 8 months with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Paul McNaughton & Paul Black

Jun 17, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Scott sentenced Paul McNaughton to life imprisonment for the murder of Peter Coshan. McNaughton must serve a minimum period of 22 years before he can be considered for parole. Paul Black was sentenced to 5 and a half years in prison for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

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