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.
HMA v John Hughes
Nov 4, 2024
At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson imposed an extended sentence of 15 years on John Hughes. The offender admitted a charge of attempted murder and will spend 11 years in custody with a further 4 years on licence in the community.
HMA v Dylan Brister & Cameron Allan
Oct 25, 2024
At the High Court in Dundee, Lord Harrower sentenced Dylan Brister and Cameron Allan to life imprisonment after they were both convicted of sexual assault, rape, and murder. The punishment part, the minimum time spent in custody before being considered for parole, was set at 23 years for Brister and 19 years for Allan.
HMA v Robert Foulkes
Oct 22, 2024
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Young imposed an extended sentence of 18 years on Robert Foulkes after the offender pled guilty to serious sexual offending against young girls over a period of 12 years. The extended sentence comprises of a custodial term of 15 years followed by an extension period of 3 years to be served in the community.
HMA v Robert Hasebe
Oct 17, 2024
At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Colbeck imposed a community payback order on Robert Hasebe after the offender was convicted of causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving. The community payback order will comprise 300 hours of unpaid work to be completed in 9 months and a 6 month restriction of liberty order. He will also be disqualified from driving for a period of 4 years.
HMA v Jamie Boulton and Nathan Boulton
Oct 16, 2024
At the High Court in Edinburgh Lady Poole sentenced Jamie Walter Boulton to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 18 years after he was convicted of murder. Nathan David Boulton was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
HMA v Craig Strachan
Oct 15, 2024
At the High Court in Stirling Judge Tait sentenced Craig Strachan to 6 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of rape. He will be subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period. Judge Tait also made a non-harassment order preventing him from contacting or attempting to contact the complainer for a period of 20 years.
HMA v William McBurnie
Oct 10, 2024
At the High Court in Livingston, Lord Mulholland sentenced William McBurnie to an extended sentence of 13 years after the offender pled guilty to attempting to murder his ex-partner and her mother. The custodial term of the sentence was set at 11 years.
HMA v Andrew Anderson
Oct 3, 2024
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Matthews sentenced Andrew Anderson to an Order for Lifelong Restriction after the offender was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl with intent to rape. The punishment part, the minimum time spent in prison before parole can be considered, was set at 3 years.
HMA v James Stevenson, David Bilsland, Lloyd Cross, Gerard Carbin, Paul Bowes & Ryan McPhee
Oct 2, 2024
At the High Court in Glasgow , Lord Ericht sentenced James Stevenson to 20 years' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of directing others in the importation and supply of cocaine and being involved in serious organised crime through the production and supply of etizolam. David Bilsland was sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment for being concerned in the importation of cocaine, Lloyd Cross was sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment for being concerned in the importation of cocaine, Gerard Carbin was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment for being concerned in the production and supply of etizolam, Paul Bowes was sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment for being concerned in the production and supply of etizolam, and Ryan McPhee was sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment for being concerned in the production and supply of etizolam.
HMA v Sam Barber
Oct 2, 2024
At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson sentenced Sam Barber to 5 years imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Mr Barber was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and 6 months.
HMA v John Higgins
Sep 25, 2024
At the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Haldane sentenced John Higgins to life imprisonment for the murder of Amanda McAlear. Higgins must serve a minimum period of 19 years before he can be considered for parole.
HMA v Derek Moore & Julie Ann McQuade
Sep 24, 2024
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Young imposed a sentence of 13 years and 6 months on Derek Moore. The offender admitted charges including fraud, possession of a firearm and being involved in the supply of drugs. Co-accused Julie Ann McQuade received a 30 month sentence after admitting one charge of fraud.
HMA v Alexander Hunter
Sep 19, 2024
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Ross imposed a 12 years extended sentence on Alexander Hunter after the offender was convicted of the serious sexual abuse, including rape, of two people who were children at the time. The custodial term was set at 9 years with a three year extension period
HMA v Ian McMillan Cowan
Sep 16, 2024
At Stranraer Sheriff Court, Sheriff Anthony McGlennan imposed a 42-month prison sentence on Ian McMillan Cowan. The offender pled guilty to several charges of sexual offences against children. He has been added to the Sex Offenders Register, and issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Non-harassment Orders towards his victims.
HMA v Adele Rennie
Sep 13, 2024
At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Patrick sentenced Adele Rennie to 28 months imprisonment. Rennie had pled guilty to online stalking and other offences. Rennie has been issued with non-harassment orders and added to the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
HMA v Kyle Beveridge
Sep 11, 2024
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Armstrong sentenced Kyle Beveridge to an extended sentence of 16 years after the offender was convicted of seven charges including threatening and abusive behaviour, domestic abuse, and rape . The custodial part was set at 12 years, while the extension period was set at four years.
HMA v Kimberley Ann Dow
Sep 10, 2024
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Ross sentenced Kimberley Ann Dow to eight years and six months' imprisonment after the offender was convicted of attempted murder.
HMA v Jamie Morrison and Chloe Arnott
Sep 5, 2024
At the High Court in Stirling, Judge Tait sentenced Jamie Morrison and Chloe Arnott to imprisonment after they pled guilty to wilful fire-raising to the danger of life. Morrison was sentenced to 64 months' imprisonment and Arnott was sentenced to 52 months' imprisonment.
HMA v Mark John Michael Mason and Wendy Marie Mason
Sep 3, 2024
At Dumfries Sheriff Court, Sheriff Kevin McCallum KC sentenced Mark John Michael Mason to 34 months' imprisonment after the offender pled guilty to a number of offences involving indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images, and communicating indecently with children. Wendy Marie Mason was also sentenced to a community payback order comprising 300 hours of unpaid work and supervision and a restriction of liberty order for offences involving indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.
HMA v Martin Bridge
Sep 3, 2024
At Wick Sheriff Court Sheriff Neil Wilson imposed a three year Community Payback Order on Martin Bridges, after the offender pled guilty to four charges of libelling sexualised online communications with people he believed to be children. The Community Payback Order comprises a Supervision Requirement, Conduct Requirement and 300 hours of unpaid work.