Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Mum hears denial
Trial arranged for February after not guilty plea
The mother of tragic Airdrie schoolgirl Alesha MacPhail bravely watched on as the teenager accused of abducting, raping and murdering her beloved sixyear-old daughter denied the charges against him.
The youth – who cannot be named for legal reasons – appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.
His QC, Brian McConnachie, pled not guilty on his behalf and he will now stand trial in February.
Alesha’s mother, Georgina Lochrane, was given special permission by the judge to be present to witness the proceedings.
It is alleged the 16-year-old was armed with a knife when he took Alesha from her bed at a house in Rothesay in July.
It is claimed he then carried her to the site of a former hotel on the Isle of Bute, where he raped and murdered her.
A 16- year- old boy is to stand trial charged with abducting, raping and murdering six- yearold Airdrie girl Alesha Macphail on the Isle of Bute.
The youth – who cannot be named for legal reasons – made his first public appearance in court on Monday.
His QC Brian McConnachie pled not guilty on his behalf and he will stand trial in February.
Alesha’s mother Georgina Lochrane was given special permission to be present in court to see the proceedings.
Prosecutors allege the accused was armed with a knife when he took Alesha from her bed at a house in Ardbeg Road in Rothesay in July.
It is claimed he then carried the schoolgirl to the site of the former Kyles Hydropathic Hotel on the island.
The indictment at the High Court in Glasgow stated he took off Alesha’s clothes, shook her violently before placing his hands over her nose, mouth and around her neck.
The teenager is said to have “applied pressure” to her face, inflicted injuries by “means unknown”, with prosecutors alleging he went on to rape and murder Alesha.
He also faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is alleged he went to another house in Ardbeg Road before disposing of the clothes he had worn and then taking a shower to remove blood from his body.
This was said to have been done in a bid to “destroy or conceal evidence”.
QC Brian McConnachie entered a not guilty plea on the youth’s behalf.
The advocate said: “He pleads not guilty to both charges on the indictment.”
Both Mr McConnachie and prosecutor Iain McSporran QC told the court they were ready for a trial to be set.
Mr McSporran said: “Trial is expected to last 10 days”
Judge Lady Rae then fixed a trial to begin next February.
Alesha’s mum Georgina, who is a witness in the case, was given special permission by Lady Rae to be present in court to see the proceedings against the teenager accused of murdering her daughter.