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 Peter Duffy

Mar 15, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Scott sentenced Peter Duffy to life imprisonment for the murders of Emma Baillie and John Paul Duffy. Peter Duffy must serve a minimum period in prison of 30 years before he may be eligible for parole.

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HMA v Paul McFadyen

Mar 13, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole imposed an extended sentence of 9 years on Paul McFadyen. The offender will spend 6 years in prison, with a 3 year extension on licence in the community after being convicted of historic sex offences. He has been added to the sex offenders register and added to the list of people unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

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HMA v Stacey Archibald & Christopher McTaggart

Mar 12, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Weir imposed extended sentences of 13 and 16 years respectively on Stacey Archibald and Christopher McTaggart. Both had been found guilty of three charges of attempted murder and a further charge of culpable and reckless conduct. Archibald will spend 8 years in prison and a further 5 years on licence in the community. McTaggart must serve a prison term of 11 years and 5 years on licence.

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HMA v Colin Jackson & Connor McDougall

Mar 12, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced Colin Jackson & Connor McDougall for abduction, detention and serious assault. The pair received extended sentences of 10 years, this includes a 7 year custodial term and 3 years on licence in the community.

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HMA v James Thomson

Mar 8, 2024

On 9 February 2024 at a preliminary hearing James Thomson pled guilty to an assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment, and to a contravention of section 49(1) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995. On 9 March 2024 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Lord Doherty sentenced him to an extended sentence of 7 years’ imprisonment for the assault, made up of a custodial term of 4 years and an extension period of 3 years, and to a further 6 months’ imprisonment for the contravention of section 49(1). He also made an order for his return to prison to serve 450 days of the unexpired portion of an earlier sentence, with that period being served before and being followed by the sentences of imprisonment for the new offences.

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HMA v Kevin Suttie

Mar 7, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Tyre sentenced Kevin Suttie to three years in prison after the offender was convicted of two historic sexual abuse charges.

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HMA v George Watt

Mar 7, 2024

At a preliminary hearing on 8 February 2024 George Watt pled guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm contrary to section 5(1)(aba) of the Firearms Act 1968. On 7 March 2024 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Lord Doherty sentenced him to 5 years’ imprisonment.

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HMA v Maria Gardiner, Michael Anderson and James Houston

Mar 4, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Maria Gardiner, Michael Anderson and James Houston received lifetime prison sentences for the murder of Brian Maley. Lord Fairley imposed a minimum incarceration period of 18 years on Gardiner and Anderson, and 18 years, 6 months for Houston.

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HMA v Iain Packer

Feb 28, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Beckett sentenced Iain Packer to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 36 years after the offender was convicted of the murder of Emma Caldwell and 32 other serious offences.

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HMA v Grant Shanks

Feb 23, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole imposed an extended sentence of 9 years on Grant Shanks. The sentence comprises a custodial period of 7 years, with a further 2 years on licence in the community. Shanks had been found guilty of charges relating to domestic abuse and stalking. He also admitted disclosing an intimate photograph. He has been issued with non-harassment orders, added to the Sex Offenders Register and placed on the list of people unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

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HMA v Illir Kasa

Feb 21, 2024

At the High Court in Stirling today, Judge Craig sentenced Illir Kasa to 8 years in prison. Kasa had been found guilty of charges relating to the production of cannabis with an aggravation relating to his involvement in serious organised crime.

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HMA v Michael Beaton & Dylan John Dunlop

Feb 16, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Ericht jailed Michael Beaton and Dylan John Dunlop for their involvement in dealing class A drugs. The conviction included a serious organised crime aggravation. Beaton received a sentence of 5 years & 219 days. Dunlop was handed a sentence of 3 years & 4 months. Beaton received an additional consecutive sentence of 4 months for assaulting police officers.

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HMA v Ciaran Dickson

Feb 16, 2024

At the High court in Glasgow, Lord Colbeck sentenced Ciaran Dickson to 6 years in prison for causing the death of Aidan Pilkington by dangerous driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. Dickson has also been banned from driving for 9 years and will be required to sit an extended driving test.

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HMA v Martin Black

Feb 9, 2024

On 9 February 2024 at a Preliminary Hearing at the High Court of Justiciary at Glasgow Martin Black pled guilty to contraventions of sections 5(1)(a), 1(1)(b), and 21(1) and 21(4) of the Firearms Act 1968 and to two contraventions of section 2(1) of the Air Weapons and Licensing Act 2015. Lord Doherty sentenced him to 9 years’ imprisonment.

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PF Dundee v James Walton

Feb 1, 2024

At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown imposed a Community Payback Order on James Walton after the offender pled guilty to a series of domestic offences.

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HMA v Mohammad Taheen Abrar Chowdhury

Jan 25, 2024

At the High Court in Kilmarnock today, Judge Alistair Watson sentenced Mohammad Taheen Abrar Chowdhury to 54 months detention. A jury had earlier found the offender guilty of charges of rape, attempted rape, abusive behaviour, assault and vandalism. Chowdhury has also been added to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and issued with non-harassment orders.

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HMA v Craig Morrison

Jan 23, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Wise sentenced Craig Morrison to 10 years and 6 months in prison and added his name to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. Morrison had been found guilty rape, assault and threatening behaviour.

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HMA v Ryan Grant Steehouder

Jan 23, 2024

On 28 November 2023 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Ryan Grant Steehouder was convicted after trial of rape and 3 further offences. On 23 January 2024 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Lord Doherty sentenced him to 6 years imprisonment, with a further 2 year extension period on licence in the community. He will be subject to the notification requirements of Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 indefinitely and is also subject to a non-harassment order.

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HMA v Sam Atkins

Jan 22, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Clark sentenced Sam Atkins to life imprisonment with a minimum period of 18 years. Atkins had previously admitted charges of murder and assault.

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HMA v Sarah McDermott, Margaret Hughes and Eileen Igoe

Jan 18, 2024

At Airdrie Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Scott Pattison sentenced each of the accused, Sarah McDermott, Margaret Hughes and Eileen Igoe to 3 years in prison. All three had been found guilty of historic charges of child cruelty whilst in a position of trust.

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