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 Colin Thomson

Apr 10, 2024

On 13 March 2024 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Colin Thomson was convicted after trial of a contravention of section 1 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. The court made a non-harassment order of indefinite duration prohibiting Mr Thomson from approaching or contacting the complainer, and it continued the matter of sentence to obtain reports. On 10 April 2024 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Lord Doherty sentenced Mr Thomson to 42 months’ imprisonment. He also made non-harassment orders preventing him from contacting two children

HMA v Jeffrey Binnie and William Hanratty

Apr 9, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Scott imposed an extended sentence of 9 years on Jeffrey Binnie and William Hanratty, after they pled guilty to assault to injury and danger of life.

HMA v Tracy Menhinick

Apr 9, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow , Lady Drummond sentenced Tracy Menhinick to 7 years imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of wilfully ill-treating a young child over a period of 3 years by giving him laxatives that were not prescribed to him, to his permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and danger to his life.

HMA v Ian John MacLeod and Dean Ian MacLeod

Apr 8, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Ian John MacLeod and Dean Ian MacLeod to life imprisonment with a puncishment part of 34 years, after they both pled guilty to two murders.

HMA v Charlotte McKinnon

Apr 3, 2024

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Iain W Nicol sentenced Charlotte McKinnon to 4 years in prison. McKinnon had been found guilty of charges including extortion, drug dealing and abusive behaviour.

HMA v JC

Apr 2, 2024

At the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh on 29 February 2024 JC pled guilty under section 76 procedure to assaulting a 10 year old child to injury and the danger of life. On 2 April 2024 at the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh Lord Doherty sentenced him to 3 years and 4 months’ imprisonment together with a supervised release order for 12 months following his release.

HMA v Aaron Bradford

Mar 27, 2024

At the High Court in Aberdeen today, Judge Andrew Miller sentenced Aaron Bradford to 8 years in prison for his involvement in serious organised crime relating to the supply of controlled drugs. Bradford had been found guilty following a trial.

HMA v Darren Sturgeon

Mar 26, 2024

At the High Court in Aberdeen today, Lord Colbeck sentenced Darren Sturgeon to 8 years in prison. Sturgeon pled guilty to causing the deaths of John Laird and Michael McManamon by dangerous driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. He has also been disqualified from driving for 14 years.

HMA v Callum Gordon

Mar 25, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Braid imposed a 16 year extended sentence on Callum Gordon. The offender had been found guilty of physical and sexual abuse of 3 women. He will spend 12 years in prison with a further 4 years on licence in the community. Gordon has also been issued with non-harassment orders and added to the Sex Offenders Register.

HMA v Daniel Gauld

Mar 25, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Fairley sentenced Daniel Gauld to life imprisonment for the murder of Douglas Struthers. Gauld must serve a minimum of 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

HMA v NHS Lothian

Mar 22, 2024

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Julius Komorowski fined NHS Lothian £220,000 following the deaths of two patients in its care.

HMA v Paul Mowat

Mar 21, 2024

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Matt Jackson sentenced Paul Mowat to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and banned him from driving for 12 months. Mowat had pled guilty to causing the death of Emma Burke Newman by careless driving.

HMA v Gary Yuill

Mar 21, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Wise imposed and extended sentence of 16 years on Gary Yuill after the offender was convicted of multiple charges including rape, sexual assault and domestic abuse. Yuill will serve 12 years in prison with a further 4 years on licence in the community. He has also been issued with non-harrassment orders, added to the sex offenders register and included on the list of people unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

HMA v Barry Harvey, Thomas Guthrie and Darren Owen

Mar 20, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Barry Harvey, Thomas Guthrie and Darren Owen were sentenced on charges of murder and attempted murder. Harvey and Owen received life sentences with respective minimum incarceration periods of 29 and 22 years. For attempted murder, Guthrie had 8 years added to an existing prison term.

HMA V Steven Howie Nevitt

Mar 20, 2024

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Steven Howie Nevitt to 6 years and 9 months imprisonment. The offender had pled guilty to historic charges of child rape.

HMA v Lawrence Barbiers Russell Jr

Mar 19, 2024

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Alison Stirling sentenced Lawrence Russell Jr to 10 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to reporting for duty as a pilot at Edinburgh Airport while exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol limit.

HMA v Benjamin Young

Mar 19, 2024

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Arthurson imposed an Order for Life Long Restriction on Benjamin Young, after the offender pled guilty to 32 charges including the sexual abuse and rape of children.

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.

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.

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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