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 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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HMA v Edward Leslie Feelie

May 27, 2025

At the High Court in Inverness Lord Arthurson sentenced Edward Feelie to 6 years and 6 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

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HMA v Mark Keel

May 27, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Mulholland sentenced Mark Keel to life imprisonment for the murder of Maxine Clark. The punishment part, the time which must be spent in prison before parole is considered, was set at 22 years.

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HMA v Jay Ralston

May 26, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced Jay Ralston to 6 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of rape.

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HMA v Bailey Dowling & Benjamin Wilson

May 26, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Matthews sentenced Bailey Dowling to life imprisonment for the murder of Lewis McCartney. The punishment part, the time which must be spent in custody before parole is considered, was set at 15 years. Lord Matthews sentenced Benjamin Wilson to a Community Payback Order for two years for assault.

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HMA v Liam Gray

May 23, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced Liam Gray to 2 years and 3 months' imprisonment after he was convicted of sexual assault.

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HMA v Anthony Burke

May 22, 2025

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Louise Arrol KC sentenced Anthony Burke to a Community Payback Order after he pled guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving. The order includes supervision for 12 months and 150 hours of unpaid work. Burke was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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HMA v Darren McMullen

May 20, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow Judge Kevin McCallum KC imposed an extended sentence of 7 years on Darren McMullen after the offender pled guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and to the danger of life. The custodial term was set at 5 years and 4 months with an extension period of 1 year and 8 months.

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HMA v Duane Stott

May 15, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Scott imposed a 12 year extended sentence on Duane Stott. The offender was convicted of abusive behaviour, which included violence and sexual violence and was coercive and controlling. Mr Stott also pled guilty to assault to injury, culpable and reckless conduct and abusive behaviour.

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HMA v Steven Connery

May 15, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Brown sentenced Steven Connery to an extended sentence of 13 years after the offender was convicted of four charges involving sexual offences. The custodial term was set at 10 years, with the extension period set at 3 years.

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HMA v Darren Paton

May 12, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Scott sentenced Darren Paton to 12 years' imprisonment for the sexual abuse of two children. Paton was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

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HMA v Marwan Al Bakr

May 12, 2025

At the High Court in Stirling, Judge Farquharson sentenced Marwan Al Bakr to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of rape. Al Bakr was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

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HMA v Connor McManus

May 9, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower imposed a 12 year extended sentence on Connor McManus after the offender was convicted of nine charges against three women, including assault, rape and sexual assault. The custodial part was set at 9 years, with a 3 year extension period.

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