TEENAGE BOY IS CHARGED OVER ALESHA’S DEATH
16-year-old expected to appear in sheriff court later today
A BOY of 16 was last night charged in connection with the murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail on the Isle of Bute.
The suspect, who has not been identified, is in custody and due to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court in Renfrewshire today, detectives said.
Alesha was only a few days into a summer break on the island in the Firth of Clyde when she was reported missing on Monday morning.
Her body was found in woodland in the grounds of a demolished hotel near her grandparents’ home in Ardbeg hours later.
A murder probe was launched following the results of a post-mortem examination.
Officers have not specified how Alesha, a pupil at Chapelside Primary School in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, died.
Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston paid tribute to Alesha’s family.
He said: ‘I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank Alesha’s family, who have shown incredible bravery through what has been an unimaginable ordeal during these past few days.
‘I’d also like to thank local people for all their support and assistance during this major investigation on the island. The response to our appeals was significant, both
from those living here and the wider community of Scotland.’
Mr Houston said islanders had ‘rallied together’ since Alesha was reported missing, but warned of online comments: ‘I would stress social media speculation relating to members of the community is both misleading and inaccurate.
‘The family has also received considerable support from Alesha’s home town of Airdrie, which was reflected in the memorial service held at her school.’
The arrest on Wednesday evening followed a day of police activity at the house on Ardbeg Road where Alesha had been staying.
A team combed the grounds of the property and a black Dacia car was removed by investigators.
Mr Houston said: ‘Officers and staff from across Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority have been involved in what has been a difficult and challenging investigation, during which they have worked tirelessly to bring us to where we are today.
‘As I have said previously, incidents such as this are extremely rare. While the police investigation will continue, I hope that today’s announcement brings some reassurance to everyone in the local community.
‘It is understandable that recent events will have shocked communities
‘Officers have worked tirelessly’
across Scotland, no more so than on Bute and in Airdrie.
‘Argyll and Bute and North Lanarkshire councils have services available for those who may have been affected.’
Alesha had been staying with her paternal grandparents, Angela King and Calum MacPhail, when she was reported missing from their top-floor flat near Rothesay at 6.25am on Monday.
She was a few days into a threeweek summer break on the island. Miss King raised the alarm and posted a public appeal on social media for help to look for her grandchild.
She uploaded a photograph of the six-year-old with the caption: ‘Alesha has gone missing from our house, please help look for her.’
Island residents quickly joined the search. Around 9am, a member of the public found Alesha’s body in the grounds of the former Kyles of Bute Hydropathic Hotel.
The area has remained closed off to the public since Monday morning. The hotel, demolished in the 1970s, is around 20 minutes’ walk from the home of Miss King and Mr MacPhail.
Following the results of a postmortem examination on Tuesday, police confirmed they were treating Alesha’s death as murder.
The arrest on Wednesday followed a major police operation. Forensics teams yesterday continued to scour the grandparents’ home. The force confirmed two vehicles had been seized, along with items from the house.
On the beach in front of the property, officers could be seen combing the sand with sticks.
Earlier this week, residents spoke of the ‘terrifying’ atmosphere on the island. Officers warned parents to be vigilant with their children and to ensure their doors were locked.
Passengers arriving back at the mainland from Bute were quizzed by police officers as they landed in Wemyss Bay, Renfrewshire.
On Tuesday afternoon, Alesha’s 25-year-old father Robert and his partner read the tributes that had been left outside the flat.
Alesha’s mother, Georgina Lochrane, 23 – who is no longer in a relationship with her daughter’s father – was seen weeping as she was led to the building by police officers.
It is understood that, an hour after the news broke, she discovered what had happened to her daughter via a social media post made by Miss King.
The youngster lived in Lanarkshire with her mother, who is estranged from Mr MacPhail, but spent weekends and holidays with her father on Bute.
Alesha’s death has rocked the island, which is home to 7,500 people. It is the largest investigation ever undertaken by police on Bute, which is 15 miles long and three miles wide.
Earlier this week, residents and visitors spoke of their fears.
Gillian Junner, 22, from Rothesay, said she had been close to Alesha’s father since her teens, adding: ‘He worshipped that girl. She was the only thing that brought out a spark in him – a wee smile or a chuckle. He was a fantastic dad. I have a nine-month-old. I just don’t know what I can do to keep her safe.’
Her friend, Amy Zan-Kreyser, 24, also from Rothesay, feared for her 11-month-old son Ashton.
She said: ‘I’m the only one in my close with a child. Somebody has been leaving the door to my block open so their dog can get in and out. I never thought about it before but now I wish she wouldn’t.’
Debra Crawford, 31, a mother of three, was keeping a close eye on her children – Camryn, six, Charlie, five, and three-year-old Kimberley. She said: ‘My daughter Camryn is six, the same age as little Alesha, and I just can’t believe it.
‘I usually let her walk to the shop around the corner on her own. Rothesay is that kind of place. But she won’t be going to the Co-op alone any more and I’ll be doublelocking my doors.’
Before the arrest, a hotelier said he had already had three cancellations, adding: ‘A woman phoned after reading the news. She told me she had to cancel a week’s booking because she was too terrified to come over. I tried all I could to calm her down but she wasn’t having any of it.’
A holidaymaker visiting Bute with her family said: ‘It’s terrifying, especially on an island. It’s different back home when you’re in a big city but you feel really close to it when you’re on a tiny island.’
Holidaymakers at Ettrick Bay, near Rothesay, also spoke of their shock and concern.
Sharon Williams, who is visiting with her two children, aged eight and ten, said: ‘I feel a little concerned, if I’m honest, but I’m more shocked by what has happened. It’s really blindsided everyone.
‘My children don’t know the full details of what has happened, all I’ve told them is that, sadly, a little girl has died. I’d rather they didn’t know and there’s no need to scare them.
‘There’s more of an uneasy feeling in Rothesay than a feeling of fear.’
‘It’s terrifying on an island’