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 Malcolm McNee & Reece Trainer

Apr 4, 2025

At the High Court in Stirling today, Lord Harrower imposed a life sentence on Malcolm McNee for the murder of John Quinn McGregor. McNee must serve a minimum punishment period of 22 years. He also pled guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. Reece Trainer was sentenced to 54 months in prison for possessing a firearm with intent to commit an assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

HMA v Walter Buchanan

Apr 2, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Cubie sentenced Walter Buchanan to life imprisonment after the offender was convicted of the murder of Darrel Odhiambo. The punishment part, the time which must be spent in custody, was set at 15 years.

HMA v XY

Apr 1, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Cubie sentenced XY to four years' detention after the offender pled guilty to assault with a knife to the danger of life.

HMA v Thomas McGarva

Apr 1, 2025

At the High Court in Stirling, Lord Harrower sentenced Thomas McGarva to an extended sentence after the offender pled guilty to assault and robbery of a Post Office. The custodial part was set at 56 months and the extension period, the time spent under supervision in the community once released, was set at 3 years.

HMA v Elizabeth Ann Sweeney

Mar 31, 2025

At the High Court in Aberdeen, Judge Andrew Miller sentenced Elizabeth Sweeney to life imprisonment after she was convicted of murdering Neil Jolly. The punishment part, the time which must be served in custody before parole is considered, was set at 18 years.

HMA v David Nisbet and Declan McCuish

Mar 27, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh. Lord Clark imposed extended sentences of 14 years on Declan McCuish and 16 years on David Nisbet after the offenders were convicted of involvement in serious organised crime and conspiracy to murder.

HMA v Andrew Harkins

Mar 27, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Andrew Harkins to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after the offender was convicted of multiple charges including rape, sexual assault, assault to injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life, stalking, and threatening and abusive behaviour. The punishment part was set at 7 years.

HMA v Sean Kirkup

Mar 26, 2025

At the High Court in Stirling, Lady Poole sentenced Sean Kirkup to an extended sentence after he was convicted of domestic abuse and sexual assault offences. The custodial part was set at 4 years, with an extension period of 2 years to be served under supervision in the community.

HMA v Sunil Theyath, Umar Mohammed and Hafeeza Samreen

Mar 20, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Sunil Theyath, Umar Mohammed and Hafeeza Samreen to periods of imprisonment for their parts in serious organised crime involving a fraud of almost £2 million. Theyath was sentenced to 63 months in prison, Mohammed was sentenced to 45 months, and Samreen was sentenced to 30 months.

HMA v Kastriot Kodra

Mar 20, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Matthews sentenced Kastriot Kodra to four years' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to producing cannabis.

HMA v Jason McKay

Mar 18, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Summers sentenced Jason McKay to five years' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and failing to appear at court.

HMA v Peter Livingstone

Mar 14, 2025

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Auchincloss sentenced Peter Livingstone to 2 years and 6 months' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of assault and sexual abuse. Livingstone will be subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (placed on the sex offenders register) for a period of 10 years.

HMA v Michelle Ramage and Ryan Hill

Mar 13, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Mulholland sentenced Michelle Ramage and Ryan Hill to life imprisonment for the murder of Susan Turner. The punishment part of the sentence, the time which must be spent in custody, was set at 22 years for Ramage and 20 years for Hill.

HMA v Kenneth Tuckey

Mar 13, 2025

At the High Court in Stirling today, Lady Poole imposed a 9 year extended sentence on Kenneth Tuckey. The offender had been found guilty of sexual offences against one girl and two women. Tuckey will serve a 6 year custodial term and a further 3 years on licence in the community. He has also been added to the Sex Offenders Register and issued with a non-harassment order.

HMA v Brian Thom

Mar 12, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Hood sentenced Brian Thom to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of multiple rapes, assaults, and abusive behaviour. The custodial term was set at 12 years and the extension period, on licence in the community, was set at 7 years.

HMA v William Crowther

Mar 12, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced William Crowther to 6 years and 4 months' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to a single charge of rape. Crowther was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (placed on the sex offenders register) indefinitely.

HMA v Brandon Miller

Mar 12, 2025

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Sharp sentenced Brandon Miller to an extended sentence after the offender pled guilty to sexual assault, the possession, taking and distribution of indecent images of children and inciting another person to commit sexual offences against a child. The custodial term was set at 2 years, with an extension period under supervision in the community for 2 years.

HMA v Christopher Lynch

Mar 12, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Christopher Lynch to life imprisonment after the offender was found guilty of murder. The punishment part of the sentence, the period which must be spent in custody before parole can be considered, was set at 17 years and 3 months.

HMA v Kyle Bryce

Mar 7, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Kyle Bryce to 14 years' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to attempted murder and assault to injury.

HMA v Stuart Harding

Mar 5, 2025

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Summers sentenced Stuart Harding to 15 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of multiple rapes and sexual assaults.

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