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 KG

Aug 9, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Richardson sentenced KG to an extended sentence after he pled guilty to the robbery and attempted murder of an 85-year-old woman. The sentence comprises four years in custody on detention and three years on licence in the community.

HMA v John Watt QC

Aug 8, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Braid sentenced John Watt QC to 10 years imprisonment after he was convicted of five charges involving the sexual abuse of children. Mr Watt was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

HMA v Grace Ross

Aug 8, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Braid sentenced Grace Ross to a Community Payback Order after she pled guilty to causing the death of Joshua Kerr by careless driving. Ms Ross was ordered to perform 300 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for a period of five years.

HMA v Ian Ramsay

Aug 5, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Richardson imposed an extended sentence of 16 years on Ian Ramsay after the offender was convicted of 16 charges of domestic abuse against 9 women. The sentence will consist of a custodial term of 13 years and an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Raymond Lamb

Jul 29, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Watson sentenced Raymond Lamb to 2 years imprisonment and disqualified the offender from driving for 5 years, after he was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

HMA v Lars Thor Pedersen

Jul 25, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Doherty sentenced Lars Pedersen to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he pled guilty to rape. The punishment part of the sentence was set at 3 years and 2 months.

HMA v Gordon Couch

Jul 21, 2022

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Kenneth Campbell QC sentenced Gordon Couch to three years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of embezzling a sum of £170,000.

HMA v Stephanie Bowie

Jul 7, 2022

At the High Court in Stirling today, Lord Weir sentenced Stephanie Bowie to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 16 years after the offender was convicted of murder.

HMA v James Bernard Patrick O’Rourke

Jul 5, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced James O'Rourke to life imprisonment after he pled guilty to the murder of Dean David Ramsey. The punishment part of the sentence was set at 23 years.

HMA v Natalie McGarry

Jun 30, 2022

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Tom Hughes sentenced Natalie McGarry to two years imprisonment after she was convicted of two charges of embezzlement.

HMA v Derek Felvus, James Baillie and Thomas Duris

Jun 17, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Fairley sentenced Derek Felvus, James Baillie and Thomas Duris to life imprisonment for the murder of Graham Williamson. Mr Felvus and Mr Duris each received punishment parts of 23 years, while Mr Baillie's punishment part was set at 21 years. This is the minimum period of time they each must serve before being considered for parole.

HMA v Dean Martin

Jun 16, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews sentenced Dean Martin to life imprisonment for the murder of his step-father Keith Allan. Lord Matthews set the punishment part of the sentence at 17 years. This is the minimum period of time the offender must serve in prison before being considered for parole.

HMA v Neil Kirkton

Jun 8, 2022

At the High Court in Paisley on June 1, Lord Arthurson sentenced Neil Kirkton to seven years imprisonment for assaulting a 2-month-old child to his severe injury, permanent impairment and danger of life.

HMA v Jack McBride

Jun 7, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Haldane sentenced Jack McBride to 6 years and 8 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to Culpable Homicide

HMA v Patrick Keenan and Patrick Mooney

Jun 6, 2022

At the High Court in Paisley today, Lord Arthurson imposed extended sentences of 9 years and 9 months and 10 years and 6 months on Patrick Keenan and Patrick Mooney after they both pled guilty to two charges of abduction, assault and robbery.

HMA v Alasdair Gray and Jordan Gray

May 31, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Matthews imposed an extended sentence of 6 years and 10 months on Alasdair Gray after he pled guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement ,permanent impairment and danger to life. Jordan Gray was also sentenced to 2 years and 2 months after he pled guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.

HMA v Raymond Ward

May 30, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Fiona Tait sentenced Raymond Ward to six years imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving. Mr Ward was also disqualified from driving for a period of ten years.

HMA v The Richmond Fellowship Scotland

May 26, 2022

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull fined The Richmond Fellowship Scotland £450,000 following the death of a 59-year-old woman in their care. A jury convicted the organisation of a breach of health and safety at work legislation.

HMA v Krishna Singh

May 25, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow, Krishna Singh was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after he was convicted of 54 charges of sexual abuse involving patients in his care as a GP.

HMA v Lawrence Brolly

May 25, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Boyd sentenced Lawrence Brolly to an extended sentence of eight years for assault to injury and danger of life. The sentence comprises four years in custody and four years under supervision in the community.