Scottish Sentencing Council

📣 Friday Fact! This week we are looking at what an indictment means. To find out more on what it means to be charged 'on indictment', visit our website 👇tinyurl.com/76k7hbtr

Last year our research officer went to EUROCRIM's 24th annual conference. Read her blog 'from Bucharest to Scotland' and learn more about the discussion taking place with the potential to shape the future of criminal justice in Scotland and beyond. ➡️ tinyurl.com/Eurocrim

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Lord Harrower sentenced Corey Dryden to life imprisonment for murder. The punishment part of the sentence, the time which must be spent in custody before parole is considered, was set at 18 years. bit.ly/45jqkgn

A custodial sentence means more than just time in prison. The Council has created a video offering an insight into prison sentencing in Scotland. 📽️ Watch the full video 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=SCh3Hi…

📣 Friday Fact! When deciding a sentence, a judge must take into account any statutory aggravations. Find out more about what these are and the different steps courts should follow when reaching a sentencing decision 👉 tinyurl.com/56a5p9pa

At Paisley Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Sukhwinder Kaur Gill sentenced Attiya Sheikh & Omar Sheikh to 10 months' imprisonment after they each pled guilty to the reset of NHS personal protective equipment (PPE). bit.ly/450jZ8n

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Colbeck sentenced Michael Harvey to 9 years imprisonment after the offender was convicted of attempted murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. bit.ly/4nT15su

📚Test your knowledge of the #Scottish #legal system. Our popular interactive online 'If you were the #judge' case studies are all now available in print format. Choose the sentences you would give for robbery, speeding and death by driving. Download free➡️bit.ly/3H0q5ee

🔊 Listen to our latest Just Humans episode on Order for Lifelong Restrictions; @ApplePodcasts🍎 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-s… @Spotify 🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/5VhJy6… @TheSCCJR website sccjr.ac.uk/podcast/a-sent…

We’ve released our new blog discussing how research shapes Scotland’s sentencing guidelines. Read now and catch up with our other blog posts on our website 👉tinyurl.com/bde2ds5n

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Matthews sentenced Ewen Methven to life imprisonment for the murder of Phoenix Spencer-Horn. Methven must serve a minimum period of 23 years before he can be considered for parole. bit.ly/4nNyAwp

📣Friday Fact! What does it mean when a sentence is remitted and what is the maximum sentence each court can give? Find out more about the different courts a sentence can be given 👉 tinyurl.com/ymmcrnrf

When deciding a sentence, a judge must see whether minimum or maximum sentences have been set for a particular crime or offender. In many cases, these are set by law. They must also take account of any relevant sentencing guidelines. 👉 tinyurl.com/ymmcrnrf

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower sentenced Michael Day to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 20 years, after the offender was convicted of murder and attempted murder. bit.ly/4eHCymc

Read Lord Colbeck's sentencing remarks after Stephen Doohan pled guilty to assault, sexual assault and procuring an abortion. Stephen Doohan was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprisonment. bit.ly/4liJpoF

At the High Court in Glasgow Judge Arrol KC imposed an extended sentence of 9 years on Steven Agnew after the offender was convicted of 2 charges of rape and 1 charge of sexual assault. bit.ly/4lekYIN

📣 Friday Fact! This week we are looking at pre-sentence reports and how they are used. A pre-sentence report is prepared to help the judge gain further understanding as to why an offence was committed and decide what sentence must be given. Learn more 👉 tinyurl.com/yrw6jn45.

The public has nuanced views on sentence reduction after a guilty plea including benefits like cost saving and sparing victims from trial and concerns over appropriate punishment. We explored this as we develop guidelines on guilty plea sentence reductions tinyurl.com/mtkf8bz8

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Lord Arthurson sentenced XY (a 17-year-old) to 6 years and 6 months' detention after the offender pled guilty to the culpable homicide of Scott Mitchell. bit.ly/4lwuM0z

📣 Friday Fact! The Lord Justice Clerk is the second most senior judge in Scotland. They are also the Chair of the Scottish Sentencing Council. To find out more about our chair and the members who make up our council, visit our website 👉 tinyurl.com/26z8a84b