Teen charged with rape and murder of Alesha, 6

A teenager has appeared in court charged with the rape and murder of sixyear-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.

Alesha was at the start of a three-week break visiting family on Bute when she was reported missing in the early hours of Monday. Her body was found a few hours later.

A murder inquiry was launched following the results of a post-mortem. The 16-year-old was arrested two days after the sixyear-old was discovered in woodland near her grandparents’ home.

He appeared in front of Sheriff Mcintyre and was remanded in custody.