This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Crown appeals against 'Balerno Murder' sentences
16/06/1998
The Lord Advocate, Lord Hardie, has decided that the Crown will appeal against the sentences of those accused of killing Mark Ayton in Balerno on 23 November 1997.
Ian Adam Wheldon, Graham John Purves and Ross Stuart Gravestocks were each sentenced to 4 years at the High Court at Edinburgh on 20 May 1998.
An appeal is to be taken in this case on the basis that it appears to Lord Hardie, after giving the matter careful consideration, that the sentences imposed were unduly lenient.
BACKGROUND
Process of appeal:
a. Crown lodges an appeal with the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh.
b. The Clerk of Justiciary determines when the appeal will be heard.
c. The appeal is a public hearing before 3 judges.
d. The Crown and those convicted present their arguments.
e. The appeal judges consider arguments and decide if the appeal is to be allowed.
News Release: 1245/98
16 June, 1998