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Robert Paulin v HM Advocate
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Robert Paulin v HM Advocate
HCA/2025/223/XC
Appeal against Conviction and Sentence
Thursday 18 December 2025
10:30 until conclusion
Kelly Duling
The appellant was convicted of two charges of arranging or facilitating the involvement in pornography of persons under the age of 18 years of age. The charges related to separate complainers. He received a sentence of two years’ imprisonment and was placed on the “sex offenders register” for a period of 10 years. In addition, he received a Non-Harassment Order for a period of 10 years in respect of each complainer. He seeks to appeal his conviction and his sentence.
The appellant contends that the Sheriff expressed an opinion on the evidence of the complainers in her charge to the jury. He argues that this was a matter central to the trial and the Sheriff’s views may have been imposed on the jury which would amount to a miscarriage of justice.
In terms of the appeal against sentence, it is contended that insufficient weight was placed on the appellant’s lack of previous convictions, supportive character references and Justice Social Work Report.