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.  

Follow us if you wish to receive alerts as soon as statements are published. 

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.

Read more about civil judgments.

HMA v Robert Ferrier

Jan 19, 2021

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Robert Ferrier to an extended sentence of 10 years after the offender was found guilty of raping a 14-year-old girl on a railway platform.

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HMA v Allan Rotchford

Jan 19, 2021

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Fairley sentenced Allan Rotchford to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after the offender was found guilty of rape; indecent assaults and extortion.

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HMA v Craig McCarroll

Jan 18, 2021

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews sentenced Craig McCarroll to imprisonment for 8 years and 3 months after the offender pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide of Thomas Nelson.

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HMA v Marius Bauba

Jan 12, 2021

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Matthews sentenced Marius Bauba to 9 years imprisonment after the accused pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.

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HMA v Gabrielle Friel

Jan 12, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Beckett sentenced Gabrielle Friel to an extended sentence of 15 years, with a custodial part of 10 years, after the offender was found guilty of possessing weapons for the purposes of terrorism.

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HMA v Stephen Robbins

Jan 6, 2021

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lady Scott sentenced Stephen Robbins to 20 months imprisonment after the accused pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.

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HMA v Xiao Ya Chen

Dec 23, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Boyd of Duncansby sentenced Xiao Ya Chen to 3 years 4 months imprisonment after the offender pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Ecstasy and cannabis.

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HMA v Stephen Coffey

Dec 17, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, Lord Uist sentenced Stephen Coffey to 7 years and 6 months imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of two charges of rape.

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HMA v Lee Barry Thomson

Dec 11, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Uist imposed an order for lifelong restriction on Lee Barry Thomson with a punishment part of 6 years after he was found guilty of charges of rape, sexual assault with penetration, physical assault and stalking involving the use of covert audio and video recording devices.

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HMA v Jack John Bradbury

Dec 11, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Braid imposed a community payback order with a requirement to perform 300 hours of unpaid work on Jack John Bradbury after the accused pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention. He was also disqualified from driving for 5 years.

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HMA v Peter Muir

Dec 10, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Boyd imposed an extended sentence of 7 years with a custodial part of 5 years on Peter Muir after the accused was found guilty of 2 charges of rape and 2 charges of unlawful sexual intercourse.

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HMA v Dene Stevenson

Dec 10, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Uist sentenced Dene Stevenson to 6 years imprisonment after the accused was found guilty of the rape of a 14 year old girl.

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HMA v Scott Marini also known as HYND

Dec 9, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Uist sentenced Scott Marini, also known as Hynd, to 3 years 4 months detention after the accused pleaded guilty to rape.

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HMA v Aaron Sloan

Dec 8, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Uist sentenced Aaron Sloan to 5 years imprisonment after the accused was found guilty of rape.

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HMA v Ross Ian MacDougall and Dawn Smith

Dec 4, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Uist sentenced Ross Ian MacDougall and Dawn Smith after they were both found guilty of murder. Ross Ian MacDougall was sentenced to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 23 years. Dawn Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 20 years 2 months.

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HMA v Katherine Vaughan

Dec 1, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Beckett sentenced Katherine Vaughan to 3 years and 9 months imprisonment after the accused pleaded guilty to a charge of embezzlement carried out at premises in Aberdeen occupied by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

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HMA v Daryl Gowers

Dec 1, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Fairley imposed an extended sentence of 11 years on Daryl Gowers, with a custodial term of 7 years and an extension period of 4 years, after the accused was found guilty of 4 charges of rape and an additional charge under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act, 2009.

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HMA v Ceilidh Lynn Howie

Nov 27, 2020

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Arthurson imposed a Community Payback Order of 3 years duration with a supervision requirement throughout, and a requirement of 300 hours of unpaid work to be carried out within the first year, on Ceilidh Lynn Howie after she was found guilty of causing death by careless driving. The accused was also disqualified from driving for a period of 6 years.

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HMA v Michael Hall

Nov 27, 2020

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Braid sentenced Michael Hall to 4 years imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for 7 years and 4 months after the accused pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and to a charge of driving with excess alcohol in his body.

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HMA v Darren Lethorn

Nov 24, 2020

At the High Court in Paisley today Lord Matthews imposed an extended sentence of 14 years on Darren Lethorn consisting of a custodial element of 11 years and an extension period of 3 years after he was found guilty of two charges of attempted murder.

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