Thread by @jamesdoleman

Writer and activist Craig Murray due to be sentenced this morning after being found guilty of Contempt of Court over articles he wrote about the Alex Salmond case.
Hearing set to commence at 9.45 am.

The hearing is a virtual one with all the participants attending by video link

The presiding judges are Lady Dorrian, Lord Pentland and Lord Turnbull. The Advocate Depute, Alec Prentice QC represents the Crown, Roddy Dunlop QC is representing Mr Murray.

Proceedings begin
Lady Dorrian begins her sentencing statement

The judge says the court has ruled that Mr Murray published information that could have identified some of the complainants in the Alex Salmond trial

Dorrian says the court has taken into account Mr Murray's health issues and family circumstances
Says case is at the "serious end of the scale."

Murray's action risked "stress and dignity," if they were identified, especially given the huge publicity around the Salmond case.

Says actions like this could stop other complainers coming forward in similar cases.

Dorrian says the defendant "appeared to relish," publishing information that could identify the female complainers.

"Cannot dispose without a sentence of imprisonment,"
Sentence is 8 months

Roddy Dunlop QC, for Mr Murray, asks for permission to appeal.

Says they are planning to take the case to the Supreme Court and asks the sentence be deferred until they can take place.
Court takes a break while this is considered.

Proceedings resume.
Advocate Depute says any appeal can only be done by petition of Nobile Officium, and there is no current appeal present.

Both sides now discussing procedure for appeal.

Lady Dorrian says she is willing to put off the sentence for three weeks to allow the appeal to be lodged.

Defence say Mr Murray is due to give evidence in a Spanish Court on May 20 on a Julian Assange related case.
Lady Dorrian says in that case they could begin the prison sentence on the 19th.

Hearing ends

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