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 Alexander Steven

Mar 16, 2026

At the High Court at Edinburgh on 16 March 2026, Judge Norman McFadyen KC sentenced Alexander Steven to an extended sentence of 18 years for the rape and assault with intent to rape of five different women in Dundee.

HMA v Kyle Shanley & Kevin Shanley

Mar 13, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge D Brown imposed a life sentence on Kevin Shanley for the murder of Brian Gough. Shanley must serve a minimum period of 16 years before applying for parole. Kyle Shanley received a 3 year prison term for assault with a weapon.

HMA v Stephen White

Mar 11, 2026

At the High Court in Aberdeen, Judge Summers imposed an extended sentence of 18 years on Stephen White. The offender was guilty of rape and abuse of women over a number of years. He will serve 15 years in prison and a further 3 years on licence in the community.

HMA v Kieran Abercrombie, Robert Thomson, Kenzie Gardner, Tyler Ramage

Mar 10, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Mulholland sentenced Kieran Abercrombie, Robert Thomson, Kenzie Gardner & Tyler Ramage to between 4 years detention and 9 years imprisonment. They pled guilty to varying degrees of firebombing a business, 2 cars in the driveway of a private dwelling, plotting to firebomb another private dwelling and possession of a stun gun. All aggravated by being involved in serious organised crime.

HMA v Douglas & Barbara Daniel

Mar 9, 2026

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Arrol KC imposed custody periods of 30 months on Douglas and Barbara Daniel. The pair had been convicted of historic abuse against children in their care.

HMA v Karl Henry Matthews

Mar 4, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson imposed a 5-year prison sentence on Karl Matthews. The offender pled guilty to a number of firearm offences.

HMA v John Paul Riley

Mar 2, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow Lord Matthews imposed an extended sentence on 10 years on John Paul Riley after the offender was convicted of attempted murder. The Custodial part was set at 8 years with an extension period of 2 years.

HMA v Finlay Burns

Mar 2, 2026

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court Sheriff Gillian Sharp sentenced Finlay Burns to 16 months and 24 days detention, after the offender pled guilty to two charges arising from his involvement in the violent disturbances which occurred on Guy Fawkes night in Edinburgh in 2024.

HMA v Ryan Carvil, Saad Qayyum, Ajaydeep Singh, Adeal Iqbal

Feb 27, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Mulholland imposed sentences of between 8 and 9 years imprisonment on Saad Qayyum, Ajaydeep Singh, Adeal Iqbal, and Ryan Carvil after they pled guilty to being involved in the supply of drugs, aggravated by a connection to serious organised crime.

HMA v Jack Bruce

Feb 26, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Ross imposed an extended sentence of 13 years on Jack Bruce, the custodial term was set at 11 years with an extension period of 2 years. Jack Bruce was convicted of 10 charges, comprising four charges of rape, one of attempted rape, one of sexual assault by penetration and four charges of domestic abuse.

HMA v Calum Lewsley

Feb 26, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson imposed an extended sentence of 14 years on Calum Lewsley. The offender pled guilty to a charge of rape and will spend a punishment period of 9 years in prison, with a further 5 year period on licence in the community.

HMA v David Campbell

Feb 25, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Scott imposed a life sentence on David Campbell. Campbell had been found guilty of the murder of Brian Low. He must serve a minimum period of 19 years in prison before being eligible to apply for parole.

HMA v Lewis Budge

Feb 24, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow Lord Arthurson Sentenced Lewis Budge to 6 years imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to the culpable homicide of Mr Robert Bromell.

HMA v Mark McMillan

Feb 19, 2026

At the High Court in Kilmarnock, Lord Harrower imposed an extended sentence of 14 years on Mark McMillan. The offender was found guilty of rape and sexual assault charges against three women. McMillan must serve a punishment period in prison of 11 years, with a further 3 years on licence in the community.

HMA v Gary Mooney

Feb 10, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Gary Mooney to 7 years imprisonment. Mooney admitted committing an assault to severe injury and danger of life and robbery.

HMA v Logan Carlin

Feb 9, 2026

At the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh, Lord Summers sentenced Logan Carlin to 7 years and 4 months imprisonment. The offender pled guilty to two charges of wilful fire-raising linked to organised crime.

HMA v Graeme Seivwright

Feb 5, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Mulholland sentenced Graeme Seivwright to 5 years and 3 months imprisonment, after the offender pled guilty to wilful fire raising.

HMA v Ross Brogan

Feb 3, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Erroch KC imposed an extended sentence of 13 years and 6 months on Ross Brogan. The offender admitted sexual offending charges against four teenage boys. Brogan will serve 10 years and 6 months in prison with the remainder of the sentence spent on licence in the community. He has been issued with non-harassment orders and added to the Sex Offenders' Register.

HMA v Gordon Marshall

Feb 2, 2026

At Livingston Sheriff Court, Sheriff Chloe Millar sentenced Gordon Marshall to 69 weeks imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to two charges of fraud.

HMA v Oran O’Neill

Jan 29, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Pattison imposed an extended sentence of 6 years and 6 months on Oran O’Neill. The sentence includes a 5-year detention period and a further 18 months on licence in the community. The offender was found guilty of rape.

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