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 Dylan Lee Calvey

Aug 20, 2025

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower sentenced Dylan Lee Calvey to an extended sentence after the offender was convicted of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour. The custodial part was set at 5 years, while the extension period was set at 2 years. Calvey was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (placed on the sex offenders register) indefinitely.

On sentencing, Lord Harrower said:

"Dylan Lee Calvey, on 10 July 2025, you were found guilty, at the High Court in Edinburgh, of a single charge of engaging in a course of behaviour, over a two-year period, that was abusive of your (then) partner.

I will not rehearse the full catalogue of physical, psychological and sexual abuse you inflicted on the complainer. It was depressingly similar to many other cases of domestic abuse with which this court is all too familiar. However, I should mention two serious incidents of sustained, violent assault, as a result of which the complainer suffered numerous injuries. I will also mention the sexually abusive behaviour, which occurred regularly throughout the relationship, and much of which amounted in substance to rape. All of this occurred against a background in which you would accuse the complainer of cheating on you, whether with your friends, your father, her former partner, or even her own brother.

During the period of your offending, you were aged between 17 and 19 years’ old. You are still only 21 now. The guideline for sentencing young persons applies, and so I have taken account of your relative youth and immaturity when assessing culpability. I have also taken into account everything said on your behalf by Ms McPartlin. However, I am satisfied not only that a significant custodial sentence is required but that the ordinary period of licence will not be adequate to protect the public from serious harm from you when you are released. In the opinion of the author of the pre-sentencing report, you expressed little acknowledgement of your offending behaviour, and have little insight into its effects on your victim or the need for you to change. He concludes that you pose a significant risk of serious harm to any woman with whom you may enter into a relationship.

The sentence will therefore be an extended sentence. The total period of that sentence will be 7 years, but it will be in two parts. The first part, the custodial part, beginning from today, will be one of imprisonment for a period of 5 years. The second part, known as the extension period, will be one of 2 years. During that period, you will be subject to licence conditions to be set by or on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. If you break the terms of your licence you will be liable to be recalled to custody to serve the remainder of your sentence.

I have already certified that the offence contained a significant sexual element. I must now inform you that you will be subject to the notification provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 indefinitely.

I shall make an order that you shall not approach, contact or communicate with the complainer, or attempt to approach, contact or communicate with her, either directly or indirectly, for an indefinite period."