Schoolgirl ‘rape and murder’
A TEENAGER has appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court charged with the rape and murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail.
The 16-year-old male appeared in court charged with murder and an offence under section 18 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act, which covers the rape of a young child.
A TEENAGER has appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court charged with the rape and murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail who was found dead on the Isle of Bute.
The 16-year-old male, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, made no plea during a private appearance at Greenock Sheriff Court yesterday, the Crown Office said.
The 16-year-old was arrested two days after the six-year-old was discovered in woodland near her grandparents’ home.
He appeared in front of Sheriff McIntyre in Greenock charged with murder and an offence under section 18 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, which covers the rape of a young child.
He was remanded in custody ahead of a second court appearance later in July.
He arrived in a security van that reversed in the back door of Greenock Sheriff Court on Friday morning.
Detectives had earlier praised Alesha’s family for their “incredible bravery” after her body was discovered in Rothesay on Monday morning after she vanished from her grandparent’s flat. A huge search had been under way to find her.
The schoolgirl was a pupil at Chapelside Primary in Airdrie, where her head teacher had paid tribute to her.
Speaking on Wednesday, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston had also criticised social media commentary on the case.