ALESHA MURDER POLICE ARREST BOY, 16
A BOY of 16 was last night arrested on suspicion of murdering Alesha Macphail.
The six-year-old’s body was found in woodland on the Isle of Bute on Monday. She had been reported missing that morning.
Last night, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston said: “Anyone who has CCTV at their home or business, or indeed any motorists with dashcam footage which might help with our investigation are also urged to get in touch.”
Alesha went missing while she was staying with her dad Robert Macphail and her grandparents Angela King, 46, and Calum Macphail, 49, in their home at Port Bannatyne, near Rothesay.
Yesterday, officers scoured the area around the flat for clues and forensic teams spent a second day in the property.
Police confirmed a “number of items”, including two cars, had been seized as part of the investigation into Alesha’s murder.
The cars were removed by recovery truck and taken away.
Yesterday, the tight-knit community on Bute said they feared the island would never be the same.
Reverend John Owain Jones, of the United Church of Bute, said Alesha’s death would now form part of Bute’s history.
He added: “It’s ghastly. You can’t comprehend it.
“It’s one of those things that will never go away. It will never be forgotten.
“We are stunned. I was clinging to the hope that this was a tragic accident. All we can do is to be there for each other and support the people at the centre of this.”
Alesha, who lived with her mum Georgina Lochrane, 23, in Coatbridge, had gone to stay with her dad and grandparents for three weeks over the school holidays.
She was reported missing from the flat at 6.25am on Monday.
Her body was found by a member of the public about two-and-a-half hours later in the grounds of a former hotel.
Murder detectives yesterday carried out door-to-door inquiries and two police vans containing around a dozen officers arrived to help with the searches.
News of Alesha’s death shocked the whole island, which has a population of about 7,220, as well as visiting holidaymakers.
Graeme Hill, 35, from Airdrie, who was on a visit with his partner Jacqueline Marshall, 30, and their two-year-old nephew, said: “I’ve been to Rothesay many times and hardly seen a police officer but this time it’s so different. I wouldn’t let it stop me a coming here. You can’t let the actions of one person stop you doing that but I have been keeping an extra watchful eye on the little one.”
David Flowers, who runs an ice cream kiosk in Rothesay, said: “I’m devastated. Rothesay has always been considered one of the safest places to live. I think both the locals and the holidaymakers are nervous. There is a state of fear and alarm on the island.
“We’re all in shock. The mood has been terrible on the island since Monday and it will take a very long time to lift us.”
Argyll and Bute councillor Len Scoullar, who lives in Rothesay, said yesterday: “I’m very deeply saddened to hear this news about little Alesha. It is so distressing for everyone in our community as it’s a very caring community and my thoughts are with Alesha’s family.
“On behalf of the people of Bute, I want to extend my sympathy to them in light of what is such a tragic occurrence.” Alesha had just finished primary two at Chapelside Primary school in Airdrie.
Headteacher Wendy Davie described her as a “smiley and happy young girl”.
She added: “She was popular with all the other children and will be greatly missed.”