NICOLLE EARLEY FROM CROSSHILL SENTENCED AFTER STABBING AND JAIL INCIDENT IN STIRLING
Nicolle Earley, a woman originally from Crosshill, was involved in a tragic and violent incident that resulted in the death of a 63-year-old woman named Ann Gray.The incident occurred in November 2008 in Crosshill, Fife, during a heated dispute over a small sum of money—specifically, five pounds—and a cigarette.
The altercation escalated quickly, culminating in Earley physically assaulting Gray, ultimately leading to her death.
The severity of her actions was recognized by the courts, and in 2010, Earley was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years before she could be considered for parole.
Fast forward to recent developments, Earley, now 24 years old, appeared before Stirling Sheriff Court for sentencing related to a separate incident that took place while she was incarcerated at Cornton Vale women’s prison, near Stirling.
She had pleaded guilty to charges of assault after she threw a plate at another inmate and punched her during an altercation.
Her solicitor highlighted that the memories of her past actions, particularly the 2008 killing, were adversely affecting her mental health.
The court was informed that these traumatic recollections were causing her significant distress, with discussions of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being mentioned, although no formal diagnosis had been made at this stage.
Sheriff William Wood sentenced Earley to an additional six months in prison, to be served concurrently with her existing sentence.
The sheriff also remarked that this new sentence would likely influence the parole board’s decision regarding her release date.
Currently, her release is scheduled for 2024, but her parole hearing has been moved forward to 2021, reflecting the seriousness of her recent conduct and mental health issues.
The defense, represented by Danielle Varela, emphasized that Earley’s mental state had deteriorated during her time in custody, with her experiencing flashbacks related to the 2008 incident.
The defense also noted discussions surrounding a potential PTSD diagnosis, although it had not yet been confirmed, underscoring the complex mental health challenges she faces as she serves her sentence.
