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 Harrison Keaney

Oct 12, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Drummond sentenced Harrison Keaney to an extended sentence of 7 years and 3 months for attempted murder. Keaney will serve 5 years and 3 months in prison with 2 years on licence in the community.

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HMA v Sandy John Mundie

Oct 10, 2023

At the High Court in Aberdeen, Judge Miller handed Sandy John Mundie an extended sentenced of 14 years after the offender was found guilty of attempted murder. The sentence includes 12 years in prison and 2 years on licence in the community.

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HMA V Andrew Taylor

Oct 5, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Andrew Taylor to 12 years in prison. The offender had previously pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving whilst under the influence of drugs. He has also been disqualified from driving for 16 years.

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HMA v Steven John Clark and Sean Douglas Imlach

Oct 3, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson handed Steven John Clark and Sean Douglas Imlach respective sentences of 3 years and 6 months and 3 years and 9 months imprisonment. Both had pled guilty to being involved in the supply of Class B drug cannabis.

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HMA v Gary Meikle

Sep 29, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Young sentenced Gary Meikle to life imprisonment for the murder of Charles Wilson and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. Meikle must serve a minimum of 19 years and 6 months in prison before being considered for parole.

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HMA v Colleen Muirhead or Lornie

Sep 28, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Fairley sentenced Colleen Muirhead or Lornie to 3 years and 4 months in prison. The offender had pled guilty to embezzling £1.5 million over a 6 year period.

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HMA v Ryan McCabe

Sep 25, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Scott sentenced Ryan McCabe to Life Imprisonment with a punishment part of 17 years, after the offender was convicted of the murder of Liam Maloney.

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HMA v Struan Pryde

Sep 21, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Scott sentenced Struan Pryde to four years imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of rape.

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HMA v Gavin McKay

Sep 12, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Scott sentenced Gavin McKay to an order for lifelong restriction with a minimum period of 6 years imprisonment. He was also handed a non-harassment order against 4 women. The offender had been found guilty of rape, violence and stalking.

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HMA v Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Sep 8, 2023

At the High Court in Aberdeen today, Lord Matthews fined Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd £6.7 million. The company had pled guilty to maintenance and inspection failures which led to a train crash that killed three people.

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HMA v Connor Gibson and Stephen Corrigan

Sep 4, 2023

At the High Court in Livingston today, Lord Mulholland sentenced Connor Gibson to life in prison, with a minimum period of 22 years in custody, for the sexual assault and murder Amber Niven. Stephen Corrigan received a prison sentence of 9 years for sexual assault and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

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HMA v Christian Dare

Sep 1, 2023

At the High Court in Livingston, Judge Craig sentenced Christian Dare to 4 years and 3 months in prison after the offender was found guilty of rape. Dare was also added to the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period.

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HMA v Bradley Isherwood

Aug 29, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Tyre sentenced Bradley Isherwood to an extended sentence of 13 years, which includes a custodial period of 10 years. Isherwood had been found guilty of rape and sexual assaults against two women and a 14-year-old girl. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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HMA v Assured Healthcare (Scotland) Limited

Aug 24, 2023

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff John N. McCormick fined Assured Healthcare (Scotland) Limited £60,000, with an added victim surcharge of £4,500, after the company admitted liability for the death of Elizabeth Glen under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

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HMA v Sean Mitchell

Aug 22, 2023

At the High Court in Livingston today, Judge Craig sentenced Sean Mitchell to 6 years and 6 months in prison. Mitchell had earlier been found guilty of rape, sexual abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour. He has also been added to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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HMA v Jacob Xavier Davies

Aug 17, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Jacob Xavier Davies to an extended period of 9 years, with a minimum of 6 years in custody, for rape, sexual offending and assault to danger of life against children. Davies has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

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HMA v Paul Fleming

Aug 17, 2023

At the High Court in Stirling today, Lord Colbeck sentenced Paul Fleming to 9 years in prison after the offender pled guilty to being involved in serious and organised crime.

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HMA v Daniel Haig

Aug 16, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Clark sentenced Daniel Haig to life in prison with a minimum period of 16 years in custody. Haig had previously been convicted for the murder of Justin McLaughlin.

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HMA v Daniel Ashley Wood

Aug 15, 2023

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Harrower sentenced Daniel Ashley Wood to 47 months in prison. Wood had admitted two charges of sexual assault whilst on bail. He has also been added to the Sex Offenders Register.

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HMA v James White

Aug 11, 2023

At the High Court in Stirling today, Lord Colbeck sentenced James White to 9 years and 10 months in prison after the offender admitted his involvement in serious and organised crime.

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