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 William Bain

Jun 30, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Young sentenced William Bain to 9 years' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to 11 charges involving the sexual abuse of children. Bain was made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (placed on the sex offenders register) indefinitely.

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HMA v Riley Kirk

Jun 30, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced Riley Kirk to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of six charges involving rape and sexual assault. The custodial term was set at 8 years and the extension period was set at 3 years.

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HMA v Edward Stanton

Jun 30, 2025

At the High Court in Aberdeen, Judge Andrew Miller sentenced Edward Stanton to 15 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of eleven charges involving the physical and sexual abuse of vulnerable children and young people. Stanton was made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (placed on the sex offenders register) indefinitely.

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HMA v Robert Burnett

Jun 27, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Stirling sentenced Robert Burnett to 5 years and 6 months' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of assault with a motor vehicle to danger of life. Burnett was also disqualified from driving for 9 years and 9 months.

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HMA v Kieran Cole

Jun 20, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Summers sentenced Kieran Cole to 4 years imprisonment after he was convicted of rape. In addition Mr Cole was placed on the sex offender's register and pronounced a non Harassment Order for an indefinite period.

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HMA v Donald Robert Kennedy

Jun 20, 2025

At Airdrie Sheriff Court, Sheriff Joseph C Hughes sentenced Donald Robert Kennedy to an extended sentence after the offender pled guilty to making arrangements to meet a child for sexual purposes. The custodial term was set at 3 years and the extension period was set at 2 years.

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HMA v Darren Scott

Jun 19, 2025

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Charles Walls imposed a supervised Community Payback Order for a period of 3 years on Darren Scott after the offender pled guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

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HMA v James Andrew Peat

Jun 19, 2025

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Frances McCartney imposed a Community Payback Order on James Peat after the offender pled guilty to causing death by careless driving. Mr Pea will have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and will be subject to a Restriction of Liberty Order for 2 months. Mr Peat was also banned from driving for 24 months.

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HMA v Sadeq Nikzad

Jun 18, 2025

At the High Court in Livingston, Judge John Morris KC sentenced Sadeq Nikzad to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of raping a 15-year-old. The custodial term was set at 9 years, while the extension period - served under supervision in the community - was set at 3 years.

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HMA v Valentin Tica

Jun 17, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Ericht sentenced Valentin Tica to 8 years' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to the rape of a 13-year-old. A non-harassment order was also imposed indefinitely.

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HMA v David McGregor Stewart

Jun 11, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole sentenced David McGregor Stewart to 4 years' imprisonment for firearms offences.

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HMA v Peter Duffy

Jun 11, 2025

At Livingston Sheriff Court, Sheriff Susan Craig sentenced Peter Duffy to 3 years' imprisonment after he was convicted of assault within a prison.

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HMA v Stephen O’Brien and Scott Laidlaw

Jun 5, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow Lady Poole imposed an extended sentence of 11 years on Stephen O'Brien and an extended sentence of 12 years on Scott Laidlaw, after they were convicted of attempted murder.

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PF v Janpreet Singh

Jun 5, 2025

At Paisley Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Gill took the unusual and exceptional step of granting Janpreet Singh an absolute discharge after she was not satisfied there was any criminality involved in this case.

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HMA v Alan Robert Hush, Gavin Gerard Cox, Adam Paul Sharoudi and Gavin John Brown

Jun 5, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Alan Robert Hush, Gavin Gerard Cox, Adam Paul Sharoudi and Gavin John Brown to imprisonment after they were convicted of charges under the Bribery Act 2010 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Hush and Sharoudi were also convicted of fraud. Hush was sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment, Cox was sentenced to 6 years, Sharoudi was sentenced to 8 years, and Brown was sentenced to 7 years.

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HMA v Rowan McKenna

Jun 3, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Scott sentenced Rowan McKenna to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of abduction, rape and assault. The custodial term was set at 10 years and 6 months, with an extension period of 2 years.

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HMA v William Edgar

May 29, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole sentenced William Edgar to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he pled guilty to three charges of sexual assault. The punishment part of the order, the time which must be spent in custody before parole can be considered, was set at 18 months.

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HMA v Owen Grant

May 29, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Scott sentenced Owen Grant to life imprisonment for the murder of Lucrezia Donaghy. The punishment part, the time which must be spent in prison before parole is considered, was set at 24 years.

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HMA v Yvonne Keenan

May 28, 2025

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Hanlon sentenced Yvonne Keenan to 32 months' imprisonment after she pled guilty to four charges of cruel and unnatural treatment towards children.

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HMA v Stephen Kelly

May 28, 2025

At the High Court in Kilmarnock, Lady Hood sentenced Stephen Kelly to life imprisonment after he pled guilty to the murder of Christopher McMahon. The punishment part of the sentence, the time which must be spent in custody before parole is considered, was set at 22 years.

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