Heather McKenzie pled guilty at the High Court in Lanark to bringing drugs into the maximum-security jail. The court heard that she befriended inmate and killer, Zak Malavin, whilst working at HMP Shotts. After an investigation it was suspected that the prison officer had been bringing drugs, including cocaine, and [...]

Scotland has a rich history of criminal trials that have captured the attention of the public and legal professionals alike. The following is a list of some of the most significant criminal trials in Scotland, each of which played a major role in shaping the country's legal system and public [...]

Craig McInally met the student on a pro-suicide website. He invited the 25-year-old woman to his flat after she told him that she was ‘really struggling’.  The court heard that McInally encouraged the woman to practice. This involved him repeatedly chocking her until she lost consciousness. It was later uncovered [...]

The appellant was convicted of an offence under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 for loitering near his daughter’s primary school whilst his ex-partner was there.  It was argued that the sheriff at trial had erred in refusing the no case to answer submission. It was submitted that he was [...]

Richard Gordon was convicted of the attempted murder of Brian Cleary. The jury also convicted him of carrying a knife in a public place. It was argued on his behalf that the same species facti could not convict him of both offences.  The appellant and his co-accused were both [...]

The Respondent was convicted of an offence under section 7(1) of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. It was heard that he was a private taxi driver who picked up two female passengers, aged 18 and 21. The passengers stated that they did not have any money and he [...]

Aaron Gray pled guilty to an attempted murder charge and was sentence to nine years imprisonment. He jumped out of a vehicle and began firing at the property in Edinburgh.  The court heard that Stephen Wernham and his partner Angela Smith lived at the property at the time. Advocate Depute, [...]

Michael Roberts preyed on two teenage girls by approaching them in his car.  Michael Roberts approached the girl in Maryhill in the early hours of the morning. The girl told the jury that he aggressively told her to get into his car. He offered to help her avoid a ‘bunch [...]

Nicholas Rossi appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court under the name of Arthur Wright. He argued that he was not the person accused of rape in Utah and instead stated that he was from Ireland and had never visited the United States.  The court heard evidence from staff at the Queen [...]

The Crown appealed after the sheriff refused to grant an order under section 288C of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. The sheriff reasoned that there was not a substantial sexual element in relation to charges 1 and 4 on the indictment. However, the Crown appealed this decision.  One of [...]