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 Matthew George and John Muldoon

Jan 13, 2023

At the High Court in Dundee today, Lady Drummond sentenced Matthew George to 16 years imprisonment and John Muldoon 12 years imprisonment after they were both convicted of multiple charges of physically and sexually abusing vulnerable children in their care at Kerelaw School.

HMA v Andrew Palfreman

Jan 13, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today Lord Summers sentenced Andrew Palfreman to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 12 years after the offender was found guilty of the murder of Barry MacLachlan

HMA v Jason Blair

Jan 13, 2023

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Susan Craig imposed an extended sentence of 11 years and 6 months on Jason Blair after the offender was convicted of two charges of rape on two separate women. The sentence comprises a custodial term of 8 years and 6 months with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Andrew Ness

Jan 10, 2023

At the High Court in Dundee, Lady Drummond sentenced Andrew Ness to 7 years and 6 months imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to sexual offences against two children over a period of 6 years.

HMA v Alfredo Ciociola

Dec 13, 2022

At the High Court in Livingston today, Lord Mulholland sentenced Alfredo Ciociola to 3 years' imprisonment for causing the deaths of five people by careless driving. Mr Ciociola also had his licence endorsed and was disqualified from driving for a period of ten years.

HMA v Jordan Cunningham

Dec 2, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lady Drummond imposed an extended sentence of 12 years on Jordan Cunningham, after the offender pled guilty to assault, culpable homicide and attempting to pervert the course of justice. This comprises a custodial term of 9 years with an extension period of 3 years.

HMA v Kevin Hood

Nov 16, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Arthurson sentenced Kevin Hood to an extended sentence of 25 years after he was convicted of abduction, assault and rape to injury and danger of life. The custodial term was set at 15 years.

HMA v Jagpal Singh, Donglin Zhang, Vlassis Ntaoulias and Boonsong Wannas

Nov 14, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow on 10 November 2022, Judge Brown sentenced Jagpal Singh, Donglin Zhang, Vlassis Ntaoulias and Boonsong Wannas to periods of imprisonment ranging from 7 years to 10 years in respect of human trafficking involving exploitation through prostitution.

HMA v Mark Law

Nov 9, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Mark Law to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he pled guilty to brandishing a knife at staff at a mental health facility, as well as assault and behaving in a threatening an abusive manner. The punishment part of the sentence was set at 3 years.

HMA v Core Cut Limited

Nov 3, 2022

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff John McCormick fined Core Cut Limited £10,000 after they pled guilty to failing to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of Derek McLean while he was working at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow.

HMA v Martyn Daniel Logan

Oct 19, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Arthurson sentenced Martyn Logan to 12 years imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to attempted murder and assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

HMA v Lee Johnston

Oct 12, 2022

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Judge Alistair Watson sentenced Lee Johnston to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of young children and taking and sharing indecent photographs of children. The punishment part of the sentence, the minimum period spent in prison before becoming eligible for parole, was set at five years.

HMA v Garry Jordan and Steven McCallum

Oct 6, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Lord Arthurson imposed sentences of 5 years and 8 months imprisonment on Garry Jordan and 4 years imprisonment on Steven McCallum, after they both pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug.

HMA v Garry Tierney

Oct 5, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Garry Tierney to four years' imprisonment after he pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Mr Tierney was also disqualified from driving for a period of 7 years.

HMA v Alexander McConville

Oct 5, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson sentenced Alexander McConville to 9 years' imprisonment after he was convicted of attempted murder. Mr McConville was also disqualified from driving for 12 years.

HMA v William MacDowell

Sep 30, 2022

At the High Court in Inverness, Lord Armstrong sentenced William MacDowell to life imprisonment for the murders of Renee MacRae and Andrew MacRae. The punishment part - the minimum period spent in prison before becoming eligible for parole - was set at 30 years.

HMA v Taylor Hanlon

Sep 14, 2022

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Frank Crowe sentenced Taylor Hanlon to 12 months' imprisonment for a breach of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, and a further 5 months for breaching bail conditions. He was also issued with a non-harassment order for a period of 15 years.

HMA v Margaret Ferrier

Sep 13, 2022

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull sentenced Margaret Ferrier to a Community Payback Order after she pled guilty to culpable and reckless conduct. Ms Ferrier will complete 270 hours of unpaid work as part of the order.

HMA v David Day

Sep 7, 2022

At the High Court in Lanark today, Lord Beckett sentenced David Day to 4 years and 4 months’ imprisonment after he pled guilty to causing the death of Esme Henderson by dangerous driving. Mr Day was also disqualified from driving for a period of 7 years and 10 months.

HMA v Steven McKee

Sep 7, 2022

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lady Poole sentenced Steven McKee to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after he was convicted of rape and domestic abuse. The punishment part of the sentence was set at a minimum of 4 years’ imprisonment.

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