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 Aaron David Hunter

Dec 9, 2025

At the High Court in Kilmarnock, Lord Harrower imposed a prison term of 7 years and 6 months on David Hunter. The offender was found guilty following a trial of charges of rape and sexual assault. Hunter has been added to the Sex Offenders’ Register and issued with non-harassment orders.

HMA v Arran Reid

Dec 9, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Scott imposed a prison sentence of 8 years and 4 months on Arran Reid. The accused pled guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and the danger of life and a separate charge of discharging a firearm. Both offences were aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime.

HMA v Barry Murray, Scott Henderson, Brian Miller and Carri Stewart

Dec 9, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow Lady Haldane sentenced Barry Murray, Scott Henderson, Brian Miller and Carri Stewart to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 20 years after they were convicted of murder.

HMA v Craig Allan Murray

Dec 9, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson imposed an extended sentence of 16 years on Craig Allan Murray after the offender pled guilty to assault to injury and robbery; a charge of theft; and a charge of attempted extortion by way of threats of setting fire to domestic property and of assault. The Custodial part was set at 7 years with an extension period of 9 years.

HMA v Christopher Parry

Dec 5, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Drummond sentenced Christopher Parry to 4 years Imprisonment, after the offender pled guilty to assault to injury and danger of life of a man, and assault to severe injury or injury to three other people and to driving whilst over the limit.

HMA v Tandy Swinton

Dec 5, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower imposed an extended sentence on Tandy Swinton after the offender was convicted of Culpable homicide and attempted robbery. The custodial part was set at 81 months with a extension period of three years where they will be supervised in the community and subject to licence conditions.

HMA v Rodney Shaw

Dec 5, 2025

At the High Court in Aberdeen Judge Andrew Miller imposed a community payback order on Rodney Shaw after the offender was found guilty following a trial of culpable homicide. Mr Shaw will be required to complete 300 hours of unpaid work within a period of 12 months.

HMA v AB

Dec 4, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced AB to 18 months’ imprisonment. The offender was found guilty of wilfully illtreating and indecent communications with a child under the age of 13. AB has also been added to the Sex Offenders register and issued with a non-harassment order.

HMA v Patricia Baxter

Dec 3, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Colbeck imposed a Probation Order on Patricia Baxter after the offender was convicted of cruelly and unnaturally treating 18 separate young girls and of causing each of them unnecessary suffering and injury to their health. The Probation Order includes a 12 month Restriction of Liberty Order, a 3 years Supervision Order and required to pay compensation to each of the victims.

HMA v Jamie McPharlane

Nov 27, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Arrol KC imposed an extended sentence of 11 years on Jamie McPharlane. The offender was convicted of attempted murder involving a sharp instrument. The punishment part of the sentence sees McPharlane imprisoned for 8 years and with a further 3 years on licence in the community.

HMA v Steven Mitchell

Nov 26, 2025

At the High Court in Livingston, Judge Craig imposed an extended sentence of 13 years on Steven Mitchell after he was found guilty of offences including rape and sexual assault. The offender will serve a 10 year custodial term, with a further 3 years on licence in the community. Mitchell has been issued with non-harassment orders in relation to his victims and is added to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

HMA v Gordon Telford

Nov 26, 2025

At Forfar Sheriff Court, Sheriff Ralph imposed a sentence of 200 hours of unpaid work and one year’s supervision on Gordon Telford. The offender admitted causing the death of Sheila Nicoll through careless driving. Telford has been banned from driving for 20 months.

PF v Stuart Kennedy

Nov 25, 2025

At Perth Sheriff Court, Sheriff Paul Reid imposed a community payback order of 175 hours unpaid work on Stuart Kennedy. Kennedy was also added to the Sex Offenders Register for five years. Following a trial, the offender was found guilty of sexual offence charges including a sexual assault.

HMA v Liam McDermid

Nov 21, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Liam McDermid to 6 years and 9 months in prison. The offender previously pled guilty to his involvement in serious organised crime.

HMA V Scott McDonald

Nov 19, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Summers sentenced Scott McDonald to 2 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of assault, dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

HMA v Ali Chikane

Nov 19, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Arthurson sentenced Ali Chikane to 8 years imprisonment after the offender rape to injury and danger of life, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, while on bail.

PF Tain v Rosskeen Engineering Ltd

Nov 19, 2025

At Tain Sheriff Court, Sheriff Wilson fined Rosskeen Engineering £12,000 after they pled guilty to a single charge of contravening Section 2(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, following the death of an employee in April 2021.

HMA v Stewart Fleming

Nov 13, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge McCallum KC imposed a 22-year extended sentence on Stewart Fleming. The offender was found guilty of a string of sexual abuse and rape charges against five women. Fleming must serve a minimum period of 17 years in prison with a further 5 on licence in the community. He is also subject to non-harassment orders and has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

HMA v Craig Allan Gallacher

Nov 13, 2025

At Airdrie Sheriff Court, Sheriff McGlennan imposed a custodial term of 47 months on Craig Gallacher. The offender admitted a charge of abduction relating to the late Nathan Dawson whilst on bail. Sentence has been backdated to 16 December 2024.

HMA v Mihai-Nicolae Patran

Nov 10, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Norman McFadyen KC sentenced Mihai-Nicolae Patran to an extended sentence of 12 years, with 9 years in custody for offences of sexual exposure, rape and sexual assault.

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