UK - Alesha MacPhail, 6, raped & murdered, Ardbeg, Isle of Bute, Scotland, 2 Jul 2018 -*arrest* #6

[Gardenista]

It is life but he can apply for parole in 27 years , it doesn’t mean he will ever be allowed out

Are you saying there is a chance he may get out? If so, I rest my case. It's a travesty and a slap in the face.

 

[Cappuccino]

Are you saying there is a chance he may get out? If so, I rest my case. It's a travesty and a slap in the face.

There is a chance every prisoner may get out some day. Your expectations are unrealistic, and accusing the judge of slapping the victim in the face because he cannot meet them is very unfair. MOO

 

[pinkje]

he even made out he cared for her by giving her his hoody. Why. Like just why. She must have felt for a moment safe when he was being nice toward her.

I thought that too but now I think it’ll have been to keep her quiet.

In response to the criticism of posters who were keen to promote or believe the cover-up conspiracy theory; can I just say, for me, it was easier to imagine a domestic accident and subsequent cover up than the reality of the wilful act by AC. That was naivety on my part, nothing less.

 

[Gardenista]

There is a chance every prisoner may get out some day. Your expectations are unrealistic, and accusing the judge of slapping the victim in the face because he cannot meet them is very unfair. MOO

We'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Sarahjo]

Are you saying there is a chance he may get out? If so, I rest my case. It's a travesty and a slap in the face.

This is law in Scotland, the judge couldn’t have given anymore, it’s basically a whole life sentence but Scots law states a term of when parole can be asked for has to be stated.. he can only ask in 27 years.. he won’t get it!

 

[Thistlegirl]

Horrific - he really is the nightmare that keeps repeating.
I feel we have to work out what makes a person like this - so extremely lacking in compassion. He should be used as a guinea pig - tested both psychologically and genetically.
Discussing punishment is a moot point as it will never bring that wee baby girl back. Prevention is the only avenue to pursue. (although yes he should be kept locked away for society's protection)

 

[Cappuccino]

This is law in Scotland, the judge couldn’t have given anymore, it’s basically a whole life sentence but Scots law states a term of when parole can be asked for has to be stated.. he can only ask in 27 years.. he won’t get it!

Exactly.

And just to add that whole life tariffs are very rare even for adults convicted of murder, they're not an option at all for a judge sentencing a juvenile. Criticising the judge here is rather silly IMO, especially as I don't think this boy will ever be freed anyway.

 

[wtiger]

So i wonder if professor Wilson still believes that Campbell is unlikely to be a psychopath?

These guys must get their degrees from christmas crackers!!

In my opinion he is most unlikely to be released after 27 years and will never effectively re-integrate into society.

Some of me is left to wonder whether some of his "revelations" to the psychiatric doctors was an attempt at bravado?
He must know that his future is grim so perhaps trying to crank up the notoriety?

A truly sickening case and the real worry is that nobody spotted any warning signs that this young man was heading in this direction...and surely that begs the question....why?

 

[Sp45westie]

Are you saying there is a chance he may get out? If so, I rest my case. It's a travesty and a slap in the face.

Are you not familiar with how the law and giving out life , minimum terms etc works? Unfortunately AC in the eyes of the law is a child also the judge needs to follow the law ? Common sense will tell you AC will never walk the streets again , Infact I’ll be surprised if he can even walk at all once he is sent to an adult prison but time will tell

 

[Cappuccino]

So i wonder if professor Wilson still believes that Campbell is unlikely to be a psychopath?

These guys must get their degrees from christmas crackers!!

In my opinion he is most unlikely to be released after 27 years and will never effectively re-integrate into society.

Some of me is left to wonder whether some of his "revelations" to the psychiatric doctors was an attempt at bravado?
He must know that his future is grim so perhaps trying to crank up the notoriety?

A truly sickening case and the real worry is that nobody spotted any warning signs that this young man was heading in this direction...and surely that begs the question....why?

Nobody was paying attention I guess. He was a heavy cannabis and alcohol user by the age of 16, so its not like the red flags were hard to spot.

 

[Thistlegirl]

I am imagining AC being a psychopath and working on a high functioning level so pretty intelligent. How can you be intelligent and then happily accept you're going to spend your life (or most of it) locked up? Doesn't seem very smart. Will the realisation dawn on him at some point that he's fkd his life?

 

[Legally Bland]

Not sure if anyone has the stomach for this right now, but full sentencing statement:

HMA v Aaron Campbell
At High Court in Glasgow today, 21 March 2019, Lord Matthews sentenced Aaron Campbell to detention without limit of time, with a punishment part of 27 years, after he was found guilty of the abduction, rape and murder of Alesha McPhail.

On sentencing, Lord Matthews made the following statement in court:

"You were found guilty of the abduction, rape and murder of Alesha McPhail, a 6 year old child. Merely stating that fact is horrific enough but the circumstances surrounding these vile crimes and the manner of their commission have quite rightly aroused revulsion and disbelief that these sorts of things could happen.

Alesha had just arrived on Bute to spend a holiday with her father and grandparents and had gone to bed apparently safe in her own room. No doubt she was looking forward to what the next few weeks had in store. Her father and his parents would have enjoyed every minute of it while her mother and her family would have been counting down the days till they saw her smiling face again.

Meanwhile you attended a party at your own home, consumed alcohol and then, on your account, to which I will return, went off in search of cannabis.

You went into the house and then her bedroom. You removed her from there and took her to a secluded spot where you violated and murdered her in the most brutal fashion. The details of that were revealed in the evidence and I do not intend to go over them again.

It is difficult to imagine the distress which her family must have suffered, not only when she went missing but when the awful news came in that she had been found dead. That distress can only have been intensified, if that was possible, by their finding out the extent of what you did to her, not only in the weeks and months immediately afterwards but in the course of the trial.

I have read statements by her parents and grandparents in which they have tried to express their loss and the emptiness which greets them every day. Just as I know that no sentence which I can pass will alleviate their anguish, so I know that mere words are poor reflections of it.

The effect on the island community was profound. Many of them rallied round to help in the search and the effect on those who saw Alesha in the woods will be long lasting. I have never before seen a police officer almost break down in the witness box, so affected was he by the sight.

The contrast between them and you could not be more vivid.

Your attitude was clearly demonstrated by the evidence that you posted an image of yourself in a mirror while making a joke that you had found where the murderer was hiding. The arrogance and callousness of that is breathtaking.

Thanks to the dedication of the police and forensic scientists, ably assisted by members of the public, such as those who came forward when they found articles of your clothing on the shore, you were eventually brought to justice.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against you, you did not plead guilty but elected to go to trial. That was your right and I do not increase your sentence because of it. However it is symptomatic of your staggering lack of remorse. Not once during the trial did I detect a flicker of emotion from you and that was also the experience of the professionals who interviewed you for the purposes of the reports, to which I will turn shortly.

Your defence was one of incrimination of a young woman Toni-Louise McLachlan and you gave evidence in support of it. It was a cruel travesty of the truth which was understandably reported widely in the media and left her open to suspicion at the very least and quite possibly hatred, all of which was due to your perverted machinations. I am very grateful to Mr McConnachie who today made it clear that she was completely innocent.

Mr McConnachie has said all that could be said on your behalf, entirely in keeping with the exemplary way the trial was conducted on both sides of the bar. All matters of fact which could reasonably be agreed were agreed and the issues were well focussed and laid before the jury.

As I said to the jury after they returned their verdict, Counsel do not make up defences but present the case on the basis of their instructions. It is obvious what your instructions were and your evidence was entirely in keeping with them, albeit it was a tissue of lies.

It does not go too far therefore when I say that I was shocked when I saw the contents of the Criminal Justice Social Work report and the report from Dr Macpherson, the consultant forensic clinical psychologist.

Each of these reports contains clear admissions by you of your guilt.

Not only that, and this is a terrible thing to say of one so young, but they paint a clear picture of a cold, callous, calculating, remorseless and dangerous individual.

I do not intend to go into every detail of the reports or of your admissions since much of it would, I think, be distressing and much of it merely confirms some of the evidence which was led. However, I think it right that the public, and more particularly her family, be given some flavour of the contents.

Dr Macpherson noted that you presented your account in a matter-of-fact manner notable for the absence of any emotions. He recorded that you told him that in the 12 months prior to the murder you entertained thoughts of "doing something excessive", including rape.

Your account in brief was that you had been drinking but wanted cannabis and decided to break into the house to get some. You took a kitchen knife because you wanted to protect yourself but having gained entry you left the house and disposed of it. You returned to the house and entered Alesha's bedroom.

Amongst other things Dr Macpherson records that you told him that you had consumed one and a half bottles of wine between 8pm and 8.30 pm but that you did not feel intoxicated, although you told the social worker that you still felt the effects of it. You were not under the influence of any illicit substances.

He records that when you saw Alesha your reaction, according to you, was as follows:

"... A moment of opportunity... At any other time in life, murder wouldn't have been the conclusion. If I was a year younger I don't think I would have done it. ... All I thought about was killing her once I saw her.

You told both Dr Macpherson and the social worker in some detail what you did. You said that Alesha was drowsy and became a bit more awake when you went outside. At one point she asked who you were and where you were going. You said you were a friend of her father's and that you were taking her home. You gave her your top because she was cold. I will not go into the horrific and cold blooded details of what you said you did to her but you explained that after you murdered Alesha you threw your bloodstained clothing into the sea, had a shower and then went back where you left her to retrieve your phone.

Dr Macpherson reports that you told him that over the next few days you were totally unconcerned other than to be mildly amused that the Police had not arrested you.

Two other aspects of his report are worth mentioning.

The first is that you told him that at points during the trial it took everything to stop you laughing and you had to zip your mouth

The second is that you volunteered that you were quite satisfied with the murder.

According to all of the reports, you are not suffering from any mental health disorder and indeed you are not suffering from any syndrome or disorder of any kind.

On the other hand, you are completely lacking in victim empathy, the social worker noting your cold, calculating manner.

The only sentence I can impose on you is detention without limit of time. In addition you will be subject to the notification provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period.

However, I also have to specify a period which must pass before you can apply for release on parole. Whether you will ever be released will be for others to determine but as matters stand a lot of work will have to be done to change you before that could be considered. It may even be impossible.

The period I select is known as the punishment part of the sentence and its purpose is to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. The Parole Board will deal in due course with the protection of the public.

I have taken account of the circumstances of the offences, the contents of the reports and everything said on your behalf.

I am conscious that you are a child. In sentencing children it has to be borne in mind that they are not yet fully rounded, mature human beings. A child's best interests are a primary consideration and the desirability of the child's reintegration into society must also be taken into account.

However, the weight to be given to the various sentencing considerations will depend on a number of factors including the age of the child and all the circumstances of the case.

The nature of these appalling offences and what I have read in the reports make it clear to me that reintegration and rehabilitation, while these are important considerations, are remote possibilities and neither your best interests nor anyone else's will be served by a speedy return to the community.

Nonetheless, the punishment part will not be as long as it would have been had you been an adult.

Your sentence will run from 6 July 2018. You will be detained without limit of time and I fix the punishment part at 27 years."

HMA v Aaron Campbell - Judgments & Sentences - Judiciary of Scotland

 

[wtiger]

As for punishment/rehabilitation

First thing to recognize is that he is a 100% psychopath.

Punishment is not easy because in his mind everything will be unfair and he will manage to convince himself that HE is some type of victim.

He will never feel remorse or empathy....he is physically incapable of doing so

Therefore we can forget about the rehabilitation phase

What to do with people such as him...this is something that has puzzled us for years and probably always will

 

[Alyce]

Are you saying there is a chance he may get out? If so, I rest my case. It's a travesty and a slap in the face.

Lord Matthews added that the "rehabilitation" and "reintegration" of Campbell were "remote possibilities".

I think the Judge's comment indicates that the possibility of AC ever being released is extremely unlikely.
27 years will just be the start - if he makes it that far.

 

[Eve71]

I’d have liked more but 27 years is still a long time and possibly the best the judge could give. I doubt he’ll ever be released.

No amount of time he got would make it better or give those who love Alesha an extra minute with her. She’s gone and hopefully to a better place. I hope one day her family will find some sort of peace.

Sleep tight beautiful girl .

 

[wtiger]

I am imagining AC being a psychopath and working on a high functioning level so pretty intelligent. How can you be intelligent and then happily accept you're going to spend your life (or most of it) locked up? Doesn't seem very smart. Will the realisation dawn on him at some point that he's fkd his life

Nope!

He will eventually come to the understanding that society has fked his life......it will never ever be his fault

 

[TaylorCallum]

Glad to be back home now. That was... an experience.

I'm glad this whole ordeal is finally over with. At least for the general public, it will never be for the family. It's something they'll have to carry for the rest of their life. On reflection, I also feel awful for thinking that Toni had an affair with Aaron. I didn't think she killed Alesha but for some reason, I thought they might have gotten together and now I know that was a pack of lies. I saw her utterly devastated in that courtroom. I also saw her earlier over at the water cooler interacting with a couple of people just trying her best to smile and be normal and it must have been one of the hardest days of her life. She's only young herself. I'm sorry for doubting her. This whole case has been draining and my heart goes out to Alesha's family and friends. I hope they can find some small amount of closure now.

I doubt Aaron will ever get out honestly. Lord Matthews seemed pretty firm that he doubted he could ever be rehabilitated. Aaron's callousness with his actions and statements and the way he smiled at Georgina in the courtroom was chilling. A complete lack of empathy and remorse. Horrible.

 

[Tortoise]

So i wonder if professor Wilson still believes that Campbell is unlikely to be a psychopath?

These guys must get their degrees from christmas crackers!!

In my opinion he is most unlikely to be released after 27 years and will never effectively re-integrate into society.

Some of me is left to wonder whether some of his "revelations" to the psychiatric doctors was an attempt at bravado?
He must know that his future is grim so perhaps trying to crank up the notoriety?

A truly sickening case and the real worry is that nobody spotted any warning signs that this young man was heading in this direction...and surely that begs the question....why?

I also wondered about bravado. Probably angry that the jury didn't buy his lies.

JMO

 

[Mrs Marple]

OMG so he did!!!!

'Tis what they say about pathological liars. They intersperse their lies with elements of truth.

 

[TaylorCallum]

Also, I was sitting beside all the press lol. I saw them constantly taking down notes and tweeting.