Man held over murder of schoolgirl on Isle of Bute

Six-year-old Alesha MacPhail’s body was found on Monday

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail on the Isle of Bute.

The schoolgirl was staying with relatives on the island when she was reported missing in the early hours of Monday.

Her body was found in woodland near her grandmother’s home in Rothesay hours later.

Police said yesterday evening a man had been arrested, but repeated a call for information as officers continue their investigation into the murder which has stunned the small community.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston said: “The response to our earlier public appeals has been significant.

“However, despite this evening’s major development, I am still appealing for anyone who was in the Ardbeg Road area of Bute on Sunday night or in the early hours of Monday and who may have information about Alesha’s death to contact us.

“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, a pupil at Chapelside Primary School in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, was a few days into a three-week break on the island when she was found dead in a wooded area at around 9am on Monday.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the “smiley, happy girl” had been murdered.

Yesterday there was increased police activity at the property on Ardbeg Road where Alesha had been staying.

More than a dozen officers entered the garden with long sticks to search the grounds and bushes.

A recovery truck arrived during the afternoon and removed a black Dacia car from the rear of the house.

A police spokesman had earlier confirmed a number of items, including a vehicle, had been recovered as part of the investigation.

The first car is believed to have been removed by officers on Monday or Tuesday.

Islanders have been warned to be vigilant about the safety of their children and the security of their homes as investigations continue.

Local minister the Rev Owain Jones said: “We’re all absolutely staggered, we have no words for this.

“Bute is one of these places that is incredibly safe, you take all sorts of things for granted here.”

Picture: Getty. A police officer leaves balloons at a house on Ardbeg Road, Rothesay.