Peter Murrell is likely to be set free after serving just half his prison his prison term according to a legal expert. Murrell was given a sentence of seven years reduced to five years and three months because of his guilty plea earlier this month at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Veteran criminal lawyer William McIntyre, says people sentenced to terms of more than four years would normally have to serve two thirds before they can be automatically released. However William believes Murrell will get out after serving two years and seven months – half the sentence imposed by the judge Lord Young.
He says the shamed former Scottish National Party Chief Executive will be able to apply for parole before he has served half and is likely to be released once he passes that point. William retired in 2024 after 40 years as a criminal lawyer in courts across Scotland and is now a successful novelist with his best selling Robbie Munro legal thriller series.
View 3 Images(Image: UGC)
William explained: “Because the offence is non violent, non sexual and non domestic Murrell will probably get out having done half. He is also a first offender and I don’t think the Parole Board is likely to say ‘you are probably going to go and out and buy another camper van if we let you go’.
“I would imagine after serving two years and seven months he will get parole. Most people don’t get it at first time of asking. But I think Murrell probably would, particularly given the prison overcrowding situation.”
William also thinks it unlikely that Murrell’s legal team will appeal yesterday’s sentence. He added: “I think the judge has played this pretty straight down the line in terms of the sentence.
“He will certainly have given it a lot of consideration. It is not excessive and it is not particularly lenient.
“I think there would have been eyebrows raised had Murrell got less. That would have smacked of something being amiss.”
View 3 Images(Image: SWNS)
William says it’s likely Murrell will serve his last six months in Castle Huntly near Dundee which is an open prison with a more lax regime. However he thinks he will remain until then in Saughton Prison in Edinburgh where he is currently being held.
Another possibility is Dumfries Prison which can be used to provide protection for vulnerable or high profile prisoners. However William does not think he will be a particular target for other prisoners in Saughton.
He added: “There might be the occasional nutter who will want to target him because of his reputation and get a bit of infamy. What he did – stealing money – is not going to too frowned apon in Saughton by those that are there.
Article continues below
“He is certainly a good candidate for Castle Huntly but I do not think he will be sent straight there.”
Before he retired William was a partner in Russel Aitken, Scotland’s oldest law firm. In the past he has represented the late American DJ Erick Morillo, former Labour MP Eric Joyce and a man cleared in 2015 of a gangland murder.
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.