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 Raymond Platt, Craig Colquhoun, Robert Park & Joseph McCulloch

Sep 10, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Fairley sentenced Raymond Platt, Craig Colquhoun, Robert Park & Joseph McCulloch to life imprisonment for their parts in the murder of Anthony Ferns. The punishment part, the time which must be spent in custody before parole is considered, was set at 23 years for Platt, 20 years for Colquhoun, 20 years for Park, and 18 years for McCulloch.

HMA v David Appleby

Sep 10, 2025

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Iain Nicol sentenced David Appleby to 5 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of 10 charges involving the abuse of former partners.

PF v Michael Warren

Sep 9, 2025

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Summary Sheriff Collette Gallagher sentenced Michael Warren to a Community Payback Order after the offender pled guilty to sexual assault and communicating indecently. The order comprises supervision for 12 months and 180 hours of unpaid work.

HMA v Stephen Whitehurst

Sep 5, 2025

At the High Court in Dundee, Judge Bain sentenced Stephen Whitehurst to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of 13 charges involving aggressive, threatening and abusive behaviour, and numerous incidents of sexual assault and rape. The custodial term was set at 16 years, while the extension period was set at 3 years.

HMA v Donald Gunn Sandilands also known as Donna Sandilands

Aug 27, 2025

At the High Court in Dundee, Lord Ericht sentenced Donald Gunn Sandilands (also known as Donna Sandilands) to 6 years' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

HMA v Lothian Health Board

Aug 25, 2025

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Dickson fined Lothian Health Board £70,000 after the health board pled guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

HMA v Nathan Johnston

Aug 21, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole sentenced Nathan Johnston to an extended sentence after he pled guilty to attempted murder. The custodial part was set at 6 years and 8 month, and the extension period was set at 3 years.

HMA v AB

Aug 21, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced AB, a 17-year-old, to an extended sentence after the offender pled guilty to terrorism offences. The custodial part of the sentence was set at 10 years, while the extension period was set at 8 years.

HMA v Dylan Lee Calvey

Aug 20, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Dylan Lee Calvey to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour. The custodial part was set at 5 years, while the extension period was set at 2 years. Calvey was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (placed on the sex offenders register) indefinitely.

HMA v Dean Lynch

Aug 15, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Dean Lynch to 6 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of a single charge of repeatedly raping a woman to her injury.

HMA v Barry Kenneth Mackland

Aug 14, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Barry Mackland to 5 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of three charges of fraud and one charge of theft.

HMA v Frederick Danquah

Aug 13, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow Judge Kelly sentenced Frederick Danquah to 10 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of the attempted murder of his son and culpable and reckless conduct.

HMA v Kevin Malloy

Aug 13, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow Judge Pattison imposed a 12 years extended sentence on Kevin Malloy after he pled guilty to rape and sexual assault against three complainers

HMA v Robert Markward

Aug 12, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Ross sentenced Robert Markward to 9 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of 10 charges including theft, fraud and assault.

HMA v AB

Aug 4, 2025

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Fergus Thomson sentenced AB to 18 months detention. The offender, who is under 18 years of age, had previously admitted putting others in danger by recklessly letting off fireworks, starting fires and charges of public disorder.

HMA v Felix Winter

Jul 30, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow Lord Arthurson sentenced Felix Winter to 6 years detention after the offender pled guilty to breach of the peace, with an accompanying racial aggravation, and a separate but related offence under section 58(1)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism Act 2000.

HMA v Walter Masocha

Jul 28, 2025

At the High Court in Livingston, Judge Craig sentenced Walter Masocha to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of attempted rape and sexual assault. The custodial term was set at 10 years, with an extension period under supervision in the community for four years on release.

HMA v Gary Morris

Jul 25, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Pattison sentenced Gary Morris to 12 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of numerous rapes and sexual assaults. Morris was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (placed on the sex offenders register) indefinitely.

HMA v John Irving

Jul 25, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced John Irving to 5 years and 3 months' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to assault with a knife to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

HMA v Corey Dryden

Jul 24, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced Corey Dryden to life imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to murder. The punishment part of the sentence, the time which must be spent in custody before parole is considered, was set at 18 years.

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