Boy due in court over death of Alesha, six
A SCHOOLBOY was due to appear in court today over the death of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail.
The 16-year-old was arrested on Wednesday after murder squad officers were ferried to the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde, following the discovery of Alesha’s body in woodland on Monday.
The boy was charged yesterday in connection with the schoolgirl’s death and was expected to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston of Police Scotland’s major investigation team praised islanders and Alesha’s family for the strength they demonstrated.
He said Alesha’s family showed “incredible bravery through what has been an unimaginable ordeal during these past few days”.
He added: “The people of the Isle of Bute have rallied together since Alesha was first reported missing. The family has also received considerable support from Alesha’s home town of Airdrie.”
Alesha’s body was discovered in the wooded grounds of the derelict Kames Hydro Hotel, half a mile from where she was holidaying with relatives near Port Bannatyne.
The youngster, a pupil at Chapelside Primary School, Airdrie, where she lived with her mother, Genie Lochrane, 23, had been on holiday with her father, Rab MacPhail, 25, at her grandmother’s home in Port Bannatyne.