Teenager guilty of killing Alesha MacPhail
Last updated 26th Feb 2019
A 16-year-old boy has been convicted of the 'brutal' rape and murder of Alesha MacPhail on the Isle of Bute.
We're not allowed to name him, even though he has been found guilty, because by law he is still classed as a child.
6 year old Alesha, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, was a few days into a summer break with her father, who lives in Rothesay, when her naked remains were found in the grounds of the former Kyles Hydro Hotel on 2nd July 2018.
Our Senior Reporter, Natasha Reid, has been back to the Isle of Bute.
During the trial, the court heard Alesha suffered 117 injuries and that she had been "brutalised".
She'd been reported missing by her grandmother, Angela King, at 6.25 in the morning from a flat in Ardbeg Road, and the discovery was made by a member of the public in a wooded area just two and a half hours later.
In their investigation, police found a knife and some clothing both linking the killer to Alesha's death.
In his evidence Alesha's father, Robert MacPhail, described the “pandemonium” of the desperate search for her.
He also told the court he knew the killer because he had previously sold him cannabis.
The 16-year-old lodged a special defence blaming Toni McLachlan, the girlfriend of Alesha's father, claiming that after they'd met for sex in the hours before the murder she took semen from a condom to plant his DNA at the scene.
The trial was shown graphic detail of the injuries Alesha had suffered, with a pathologist Dr John Williams saying he had never come across anything like it before.
The boy took the stand to give evidence in his own defence, which was later dismissed by the lawyers for the Crown as "a pack of lies."
A charge he faced of attempting to hide evidence was dropped by the Crown.
Lord Matthews said the boy had carried out "some of the most evil and wicked crimes" heard in a Scottish court.
He made the remarks having previously previously jailed - amongst others - serial killer Angus Sinclair.
Lord Matthews had told him: "It will be obvious to anyone that Alesha MacPhail was a sweet angelic little girl."
He said the girl had arrived on Bute looking forward to the holidays.
She would have grown up and may even have taken her own children to the island, he added.
But the judge went on: "Instead you came into her life.
"You then stole it in committing some of the most evil and wicked crimes this court has ever heard in decades of dealing with depravity."
"I have no idea what made you do it. The evidence was overwhelming."
The judge also said incrimination of Toni McLachlan was "ridiculous".
The killer was stony-faced after the verdict.
There was a cry of "f** scumbag" as he was lead to the cells.
The 16-year-old will be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “I welcome today’s verdict and hope that it will bring some comfort to the family and friends of little Alesha McPhail who have been through the most horrific ordeal.
“Throughout the police investigation and this trial, Alesha’s family have shown incredible bravery in the face of the most appalling circumstances.
“Alesha’s senseless and barbaric murder shocked the small community on Bute and people across Scotland. The effects of her death are still being felt today.
“From the moment Alesha was first reported missing - at the start of her summer holidays on Bute - the local community rallied together and did everything they possibly could do help.
“I would like to again thank everyone who came forward and helped the inquiry team with what was a particularly harrowing case.
“Investigating any murder is challenging for all the police officers and staff involved. To be faced with the death of a little girl in such a cold and cruel way was extremely difficult for everyone.
“I would like to personally thank all those involved for their professionalism and dedication in bringing the investigation to a swift conclusion.
“Crimes such as this are extremely rare and I am glad that we have been able to get justice for Alesha and her family.”
Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren, Divisional Commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division added: “I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to little Alesha. She was such a beautiful wee girl who was vibrant, funny and much loved. Her family have shown incredible bravery through what has been an unimaginable ordeal.
"I would also like to thank the local community of Bute who pulled together and did everything they could to help both Alesha's family and the major police investigation which followed.
"This was an incident which shocked the tight knit community of Rothesay to the core but that community showed strength and determination to assist the police in any way they could and I cannot thank them enough. The response to our appeals was significant, not only from Bute but from across Scotland.
"Alesha's murder has affected everyone and will continue to do so for a very long time. However the resilience and unity of this community will help it recover in time."
Alesha’s mum, Georgina Lochrane, said:
“Words cannot express just how devastated I am to have lost my beautiful, happy, smiley wee girl.
“I am glad that the boy who did this has finally been brought to justice and that he will not be able to inflict the pain on another family that he has done to mine.
“Alesha, I love you so much, my wee pal. I will miss you forever.”
The MacPhail family said:
“We can’t believe that we will never see our wee angel Alesha again. We miss her so much.
“We hope that the boy who took her from us is jailed for a long time because of what he has done to our family.
“Alesha may be gone from our lives but she will always be in our hearts.''