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Paul McCann v HM Advocate
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Paul McCann v HM Advocate
HCA/2026/106/XC
Appeal against Conviction
Thursday 8 October 2026
10:30 until conclusion
Lorenzo Alonzi
[1] The appellant was convicted after trial at the High Court of Justiciary at Livingston of three offences including a charge of attempted murder while in prison. On 20 February 2026, the trial judge sentenced the appellant to a period of 12 years’ imprisonment.
[2] The appellant appeals against conviction on grounds that a Victim Impact Statement (“VIS”) given by the complainer on the charge of attempted murder was not disclosed by the Crown to the defence in advance of trial. It is argued that the terms of the VIS were favourable to the appellant.
[3] The Crown concedes that the VIS ought to have been disclosed. The appellant maintains that had he received disclosure of the VIS in advance, he would have called the complainer as a witness to either: (i) give an account consistent with the appellant’s defence of self-defence; or (ii) be challenged about the terms of the VIS. He argues that his inability to do so resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
[4] The High Court of Justiciary Appeal Court will hear the appeal against conviction on Thursday 8 October 2026 at 10:30am.