Sentencing

A former prisoner at HMP Edinburgh jailed for raping his teenage daughter and her friend has lost a legal challenge against five of the conditions imposed on his automatic release on licence. Petitioner AB was jailed for 12 years for two charges of rape at common law and two charges of lewd, indecen

Identifying the most effective ways to address offending behaviour so there is less crime and fewer victims will be "at the heart" of an independent review of sentencing and penal policy, Justice Secretary Angela Constance has announced. The externally led review will examine how and when custodial

A rapist who beat and tortured several partners has been jailed indefinitely after posthumous testimony from two victims. Unemployed Alexander Thomson, 42, of Broxburn, West Lothian, was made the subject of an order for lifelong restriction at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday.

New Scottish sentencing guidelines for indecent images offences should better distinguish between the characteristics and trajectories of those who only view indecent images of children (IIOC) and those who also commit contact offences against children. The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has publ

The Scottish Sentencing Council has today published a new research report reviewing the sentencing of offences involving domestic abuse in Scotland.The literature review, carried out by a group of expert academics from Strathclyde University and the University of Glasgow, will help to inform the cou

Westminster's Justice Committee has announced the terms of reference for a new inquiry to investigate the public’s understanding of the current approach to sentencing in England and Wales. The inquiry will aim to get a better understanding of public awareness around how sentencing works, inclu

In a blog written for and originally published by the Scottish Sentencing Council, Sheriff Jillian Martin Brown explains the work of the problem-solving court in Forfar. The problem-solving court in Forfar originated out of a partnership between sheriffs sitting in Arbroath Sheriff Court and the Gle

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, the Scottish Sentencing Council has published a new research report reviewing the challenges of and approaches to sentencing offenders with mental health issues. The literature review, carried out by a group of expert academics from universities ac

The Scottish Sentencing Council has published three short animated videos about its sentencing young people guideline. Each video focuses on one of the guideline’s key themes: The council premiered the videos at a webinar it held jointly with the Children and Young People’s Centre for Ju

A new sentencing guideline applicable to people under the age of 25 at the date of their guilty plea or when a finding of guilt is made against them has come into effect. Reflecting "compelling" scientific evidence on the development of cognitive maturity, the guideline says that a young person will

"Significant progress" was made by the Scottish Sentencing Council in the development of sentencing guidelines in 2020-21 despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, according to its chair, Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk. Writing in the council’s 2021-21 Annual Report, which was laid b

A new sentencing guideline requires courts to have regard to rehabilitation as a primary consideration in sentencing young people, in recognition of their greater capacity for change. Following extensive research and consultation, the council submitted the ‘Sentencing young people’ guide

A new sentencing guideline developed by the Scottish Sentencing Council comes into force in Scotland today. The sentencing process guideline sets out eight steps which courts should follow in order to reach a sentencing decision.

A new guideline on the sentencing of young people has been finalised by the Scottish Sentencing Council. The ‘Sentencing young people’ guideline, which will be submitted to the High Court for approval this month, requires courts to have regard to rehabilitation as a primary consideration

Rehabilitation should be the primary purpose of sentencing young people in Scotland, according to a new report which explored the views of 14-25 year olds across Scotland. Participants in the research also felt that sentences should attempt to repair the harm done to victims.