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.
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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 Christopher Parry
Dec 5, 2025
On sentencing , Lady Drummond made the following remarks in court:
"Mr Parry you pled guilty at the first opportunity to these three offences on the indictment. Assault to injury and danger of life of a man, and assault to severe injury or injury to three other people and to driving whilst over the limit. None of the complainers were known to you at the time.
The Court was played CCTV footage which showed you leaving a nightclub and getting into your car. When an onlooker took steps to stop you from driving away by trying to remove you from your car and reaching into your car to get the keys, you drove off causing him to fall to the ground. You then drove in a circle round the car park narrowly missing the same man, before circling a second time towards him striking two others with the car knocking them to the ground. You drove over another man’s foot before leaving through a no exit sign. When the police caught up with you, and breathalysed you, you were more than 4 times over the limit.
Thes are serious offences with significant consequences for those you injured. The victim impact statement from one of the complainers describes the immense impact that the crime has had on him physical and psychologically. He has gone from being financially stable to unemployed. He has daily headaches, dizziness, mood swings and disturbed sleep. He has been left in fear and terribly depressed.
You have no previous convictions and are 57 years old.
The criminal justice and social work report assesses you as a minimal risk of reoffending. I have taken into account all that has been said on your behalf this morning and that is in the report. You have had personal difficulties including recently with your health, you no longer drink alcohol. You have shown genuine remorse and insight.
In my view given the seriousness of the offences, the only appropriate sentence is custodial one.
For charge 1, I impose 4 years, for charge 2, I impose 3 years and for charge 3, I impose 6 months. That sentence on charge 3 will run concurrently, at the same time as, the sentences on the other two charges. Looking at the totality of the sentence for charges 1 and 2, I impose an overall sentence of 6 years. I reduce the period of 6 years to 4 years because of the stage you pled guilty.
It is a sentence of 4 years from todays date.
I require to disqualify you from driving. Given the level of reading, I disqualify you from driving for 4 years. That will be extended by half of the period you were sentenced to custody ie 2 years so it is a disqualification of 6 years from today’s date. You will be required to sit the extended driving test."
5 December 2025