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 Strachan

Jul 27, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge O'Grady imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on Aaron Strachan, after the offender pled guilty to charges including rape and assault.

HMA v Ian McIntyre, Kieran Doherty, Calum McKelvie, Jack Sanderson and Martin James Tracey

Jul 27, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced five men each to 4 years and 6 months imprisonment. Ian McIntyre, Kieran Doherty, Calum McKelvie, Jack Sanderson and Martin James Tracey pled guilty to charges in their involvement of serious organised crime.

HMA v Owen McKee

Jul 27, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Matthews imposed an extended sentence on Owen McKee, after the offender pled guilty to an assault within HMP Barlinnie. The custodial term was set at 4 years and 6 months, and the extension period was set for 2 years.

HMA v Ewa Nosalska

Jul 27, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Watson sentenced Ewa Nosalska to 21 months imprisonment, after the offender pled guilty to sexual assault.

HMA v Iain Robertson

Jul 23, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Drummond imposed a 12 years extended sentence on Iain Robertson after the offender was convicted of offences against three different women including Rape, Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse. The Custodial Term was set at 9 years with a 3 years extension period to be served in the community.

HMA v Bell Group Limited

Jul 21, 2026

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Graeme Watson fined Bell Group Limited £300,000 after the company pled guilty to a breach of Work at Height Regulations 2005 and section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

HMA v Cole Turley, Jay Stewart and AB

Jul 21, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Scott imposed detention for life on Cole Turley, Jay Stewart and AB for the murder of Kayden Moy. Turley and Stewart must serve a minimum term of 16 years. AB will serve a minimum of 14 years.

HMA v Christopher Malcolm

Jul 17, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Stirling imposed an extended sentence of 19 years on Christopher Malcolm. The offender was convicted of multiple counts of rape, assault and abuse.

HMA v Connor Manners

Jul 17, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Renucci imposed a life sentence on Connor Manners, after the offender pled guilty to the murder of Gary Nicol. He will spend a minimum of 20 years behind bars before being considered for parole.

HMA v Shaun McKenna

Jul 17, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson imposed a Community Payback Order on Shaun McKenna, after the offender pled guilty to sexual offences. In unique circumstances, it was imposed as an alternative to a custodial sentence, due to the offender's severe degenerative health condition.

HMA v John Peter Martin McNamara

Jul 15, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow Lord Arthurson sentenced John Peter Martin McNamara to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 17 years after the offender was convicted of murder.

HMA v David MacDonald

Jul 15, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Welsh KC imposed an extended sentence of 16 years on David MacDonald. The offender was found guilty of multiple charges, including rape, domestic abuse and attempted murder.

HMA v Kenny Dalgleish

Jul 10, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower imposed an 14 years extended sentence on Kenny Dalgleish after the offender was found guilty of eleven charges involving physical, emotional and sexual abuse against two women over many years.

HMA v Kyle Patrick

Jul 8, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Kyle Patrick to 8 years imprisonment, after the offender pled guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. The 23-year-old will also be disqualified from driving for 10 years.

HMA v Olaksandr Dupik

Jul 1, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Drummond sentenced Olaksandr Dupik to four years imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to attempted rape.

HMA v Waldemar Jaronski

Jun 30, 2026

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Mulholland sentenced Waldemar Jaronski to life imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to the murder of Iain Gordon MacFarlane. He will serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars before being considered for parole.

HMA v Mohammed Tariq

Jun 29, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Harrower sentenced Mohammed Tariq to 7 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of three charges of rape.

HMA v Logan Dignan

Jun 26, 2026

At the High Court in Livingston today, Judge Susan Craig imposed an extended sentence of 7 years on Logan Dignan. The offender must serve a 5 year prison term with a further 2 years on licence in the community. Following a trial, he was found guilty of physical and sexual violence. Dignan has been issued with non-harassment orders and added to the sex offenders register.

HMA v Daniel Howard

Jun 24, 2026

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Haldane imposed a Community Payback Order on Daniel Howard after the offender pled guilty to a serious assault.

HMA v Paul Dredge

Jun 23, 2026

At the High Court in Livingston Judge Sheriff Craig imposed an extended sentence of 11 years on Paul Dredge. The offender was found guilty by a jury after trial of a number of charges of serious sexual behaviour involving two separate victims.

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