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About this case

Case name

Stacey Balfour v HM Advocate

Case reference

HCA/2025/346/XC

Type of appeal

Appeal against Conviction

Date of hearing

Thursday 14 May 2026

Time of hearing

10:30 to 13:00 then 14:00 until conclusion

Judges

• Lord Justice Clerk
• Lady Wise
• Lady Carmichael

Counsel for the Appellant (SB)

T Ross KC

Case description

[1]    The appellant and her co-accused, Cameron Woods, was convicted of murder by a jury at the High Court of Justiciary at Glasgow on 2 May 2025. On 24 June 2025, the trial judge sentenced the appellant to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 16 years.

[2]    The jury initially indicated their intention to convict the appellant of culpable homicide while convicting her co-accused of murder. Standing the court’s decision in Gardiner & Anderson v HM Advocate [2024] HCJAC 44, 2025 JC 114 the trial judge held the verdict to be incompetent and invited the jury to reconsider their verdict following additional directions.

[3]    The appellant appeals against conviction on the ground that the trial judge erred by refusing her Senior Counsel’s motion to record the verdict as an acquittal. A second ground of appeal challenges aspects of the trial judge’s charge to the jury on the law of concert.

[4]    The appellant also appeals against sentence on the ground that the punishment part selected by the trial judge was excessive.

[5]    The High Court of Justiciary Appeal Court will hear the appeal on Thursday, 14 May 2026.