How long could Peter Murrell spend in prison?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. How long could Peter Murrell spend in prison? 2 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleDavid HendersonScotland news correspondentAlan SimpsonMurrell was remanded in custody following the short court appearance A hefty custodial sentence is almost certain for Peter Murrell after the former SNP chief executive admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Under the Scottish legal system there are no formal sentencing guidelines for embezzlement like there are in England.

That means you have to look to previous case law to see what might happen when the 61-year-old is sentenced next month. His case is being dealt with in the High Court of Justiciary, where judges can impose a life sentence and an unlimited fine - and people convicted of embezzling more than £100,000 are usually jailed. Scotland's courts consistently identify the same aggravating factors in embezzlement cases.

The Details

These include:the amount involvedhow long the offending took placewhether it only stopped because it was discoveredthe nature and degree of the trust betrayedwhether the accused held a public office or professional positionthe impact on the victimwhether the money is recoverableand whether there is a need for the sentence to act as a deterrentIn this case, Peter Murrell was chief executive of a political party. He embezzled more than £400,000 over more than a decade and falsified records to disguise personal spending - so most of those aggravating factors are at a high level. Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry was jailed for two years after being convicted of embezzling £25,000 from Women for Independence and the Glasgow Regional Association.

If that case is the benchmark - with around a month in jail for every £1,000 embezzled - then Murrell could be behind bars for a very long time. Coffee machines, fountain pens and Grand Theft Auto: How Murrell spent the money'I'm the man with the money,' Murrell told Shetland jewellerFormer SNP chief executive Peter Murrell in custody after admitting £400,000 embezzlementBut other cases point to less jail time. Beverley Bennie was jailed for 20 months after admitting embezzling £96,371 from a children's charity and a vending firm.

That was with a guilty plea. Emma Hunt, an office manager at an Edinburgh property firm, embezzled over £900,000 and spent it on a lavish lifestyle which included parties, designer goods and holidays. She was found guilty after a trial and was jailed for three years.

What Experts Say

These cases may offer more of a guide to Lord Young when Murrell is back in court on 23 June. Much will depend on whether the judge thinks an exemplary sentence is required. What could happen to the motorhome?

David CardwellThe luxury motorhome bought by Murrell in late 2020 will have depreciated in valueThe courts released a lengthy list of the items bought by Murrell with SNP funds. This included a Niesmann+Bischoff luxury motorhome, which he paid £124,550 for in late 2020.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.