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

[Eve71]

Hello all, I’ve been a lurker for a while on these forums but have never been inclined to post before, yet this terribly sad case has touched me deeply and I’ve spent many hours reading these threads, hearing everyone’s POV . There are some very knowledgable sleuths on here !

I’m 100% certain the right person has been convicted , the evidence against him is overwhelming, IMO. The DNA, CCTV, his Snapchat videos after her murder, the knife and his desperate last ditch off the wall defence collectively shouts guilty. Tellingly his own mother was of the option he was responsible as soon as she viewed the CCTV and her refusal to support him at trial speaks volumes. There was obviously something very dark about his character which she knew about and I’m sure once sentenced, even more will be revealed about this monster .

Like many, I’m not sure how he managed to get Alesha out the flat without her crying out or anyone waking up. It’s known Alesha had a very busy Sunday, she’d attended a party , played at the park and then gone shopping . She was also late in settling down between 10-11 and was up again after she’d been put to bed. I’m guessing she was very tired and was deep in sleep when her killer crept in and took her from her bed. I’m also of the opinion that she woke sometime before he entered the shelter with her (marine parade) started to cry and he shook her violently to quieten her, that’s when she suffered the spinal injury mentioned in her PM . JMO .

I’m not really interested in getting into his mind of why he did it. Each expert has a different option on what makes killers tick and it will be the same for A.C. I believe that some people are just wired wrong and unless her opens up and starts talking we will never know why he took that little girls life in the most harrowing of ways.

My heart breaks for that little girl and her story has touched me unlike any other. She was obviously a very much loved little girl. Her pictures show a happy, healthy child who was very much the centre of both families world. Her dad certainly seems to have stepped up and been a very hands on dad , the fact her parents split when she was only a few months old and there was distance between them,he still managed to see her every other weekend and the holidays. The pain and guilt he must feel is surely a living hell. I hope one day they can all find a little peace but I expect it’s going to take a very, very long time.

As for her killer, I hope he never feels the sun on his face again.

 

[Edinlass]

Hello all, I’ve been a lurker for a while on these forums but have never been inclined to post before, yet this terribly sad case has touched me deeply and I’ve spent many hours reading these threads, hearing everyone’s POV . There are some very knowledgable sleuths on here !

I’m 100% certain the right person has been convicted , the evidence against him is overwhelming, IMO. The DNA, CCTV, his Snapchat videos after her murder, the knife and his desperate last ditch off the wall defence collectively shouts guilty. Tellingly his own mother was of the option he was responsible as soon as she viewed the CCTV and her refusal to support him at trial speaks volumes. There was obviously something very dark about his character which she knew about and I’m sure once sentenced, even more will be revealed about this monster .

Like many, I’m not sure how he managed to get Alesha out the flat without her crying out or anyone waking up. It’s known Alesha had a very busy Sunday, she’d attended a party , played at the park and then gone shopping . She was also late in settling down between 10-11 and was up again after she’d been put to bed. I’m guessing she was very tired and was deep in sleep when her killer crept in and took her from her bed. I’m also of the opinion that she woke sometime before he entered the shelter with her (marine parade) started to cry and he shook her violently to quieten her, that’s when she suffered the spinal injury mentioned in her PM . JMO .

I’m not really interested in getting into his mind of why he did it. Each expert has a different option on what makes killers tick and it will be the same for A.C. I believe that some people are just wired wrong and unless her opens up and starts talking we will never know why he took that little girls life in the most harrowing of ways.

My heart breaks for that little girl and her story has touched me unlike any other. She was obviously a very much loved little girl. Her pictures show a happy, healthy child who was very much the centre of both families world. Her dad certainly seems to have stepped up and been a very hands on dad , the fact her parents split when she was only a few months old and there was distance between them,he still managed to see her every other weekend and the holidays. The pain and guilt he must feel is surely a living hell. I hope one day they can all find a little peace but I expect it’s going to take a very, very long time.

As for her killer, I hope he never feels the sun on his face again.

Welcome Eve71

What a great post, it is so unbelievably horrendous isn’t it.

 

[Eve71]

Welcome Eve71

What a great post, it is so unbelievably horrendous isn’t it.

Hello and thank you.

Yes ,it is truly devastating. I’ve cried buckets over that little girl and I didn’t even know her and never would have. God knows how her family must feel. A child’s murder is always very, very sad and emotive but I’ve never felt like this before. The whole case is like something out of a horror movie . Little Alesha had 6 years of love and happiness, yet her last hour on Earth was taken in the most brutal of ways. She must have been absouloutely terrified.

 

[Eve71]

Another thing which stood out to me was either on the Fri or Sat before her death Alesha had visited Ettrick Bay with her family. AC said that he had camped there on the Friday, ( if my memory is correct) so it made me think that maybe he had seen her there and that’s when the seed was planted in his mind. Clutching at straws, but it’s something which I’ve given some thought to.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Hello all, I’ve been a lurker for a while on these forums but have never been inclined to post before, yet this terribly sad case has touched me deeply and I’ve spent many hours reading these threads, hearing everyone’s POV . There are some very knowledgable sleuths on here !

I’m 100% certain the right person has been convicted , the evidence against him is overwhelming, IMO. The DNA, CCTV, his Snapchat videos after her murder, the knife and his desperate last ditch off the wall defence collectively shouts guilty. Tellingly his own mother was of the option he was responsible as soon as she viewed the CCTV and her refusal to support him at trial speaks volumes. There was obviously something very dark about his character which she knew about and I’m sure once sentenced, even more will be revealed about this monster .

Like many, I’m not sure how he managed to get Alesha out the flat without her crying out or anyone waking up. It’s known Alesha had a very busy Sunday, she’d attended a party , played at the park and then gone shopping . She was also late in settling down between 10-11 and was up again after she’d been put to bed. I’m guessing she was very tired and was deep in sleep when her killer crept in and took her from her bed. I’m also of the opinion that she woke sometime before he entered the shelter with her (marine parade) started to cry and he shook her violently to quieten her, that’s when she suffered the spinal injury mentioned in her PM . JMO .

I’m not really interested in getting into his mind of why he did it. Each expert has a different option on what makes killers tick and it will be the same for A.C. I believe that some people are just wired wrong and unless her opens up and starts talking we will never know why he took that little girls life in the most harrowing of ways.

My heart breaks for that little girl and her story has touched me unlike any other. She was obviously a very much loved little girl. Her pictures show a happy, healthy child who was very much the centre of both families world. Her dad certainly seems to have stepped up and been a very hands on dad , the fact her parents split when she was only a few months old and there was distance between them,he still managed to see her every other weekend and the holidays. The pain and guilt he must feel is surely a living hell. I hope one day they can all find a little peace but I expect it’s going to take a very, very long time.

As for her killer, I hope he never feels the sun on his face again.

Hi Eve, could not agree with everything you say more. With ref to how he took her, I'm of the opinion that he was particularly pleased with himself about this. Hence why he mentioned it afterwards to his group chat pals. Suspect we will never know, as he will enjoy the power of keeping it to himself. JMO

 

[Sleuthdolf]

Another thing which stood out to me was either on the Fri or Sat before her death Alesha had visited Ettrick Bay with her family. AC said that he had camped there on the Friday, ( if my memory is correct) so it made me think that maybe he had seen her there and that’s when the seed was planted in his mind. Clutching at straws, but it’s something which I’ve given some thought to.

Didn't know this but sounds unlikely. Think it would have been bought up already. His connection with Z and highland dancing is what I think it was, if any connection. Not sure what party she went to but could there have been somebody there such as Z.

I'm also clutching at straws. Also welcome. Your opening post was very well written.

 

[Eve71]

Hi Eve, could not agree with everything you say more. With ref to how he took her, I'm of the opinion that he was particularly pleased with himself about this. Hence why he mentioned it afterwards to his group chat pals. Suspect we will never know, as he will enjoy the power of keeping it to himself. JMO

Hello and thank you.

Yes, he was certainly pleased with himself. The Snapchat brag proved that beyond doubt. I don’t think there was any more to the actual abduction though, he saw the key in the lock, let himself in, had a nosey around and found her room. Fate was spitefully unkind to Alesha that night.

 

[Eve71]

Didn't know this but sounds unlikely. Think it would have been bought up already. His connection with Z and highland dancing is what I think it was, if any connection. Not sure what party she went to but could there have been somebody there such as Z.

I'm also clutching at straws. Also welcome. Your opening post was very well written.

Hello and thank you.

Yes I read it somewhere, may have been on here and it just struck me. I thought it may have been mentioned at the trial but don’t think it was.
The dancing connection is interesting too. Although AC insisted he never met her, I’m sure he must have seen her about the island when she stayed over. From what I’ve read and the many pics of her, she enjoyed a very social time on her frequent stays with her dad and grandparents and even if he’d never seen her in person , he would certainly have seen pics of her on Toni’s FB and Instra accounts.

The party was on the Sunday, the day before she was taken. It was in Ardrie (sp?) where she lived with her mother and from what I gather it was a school friends birthday party. I doubt Z was there as it was not local to her and I don’t believe she has small children but I could be wrong. I did read that Alesha had enjoyed a dance class the day she arrived on the island, the Thurs before she died.

 

[JemZy9]

Hi all I am new too and like many have been affected by the case and how sad it is.

I believe Z does have small children but I think they are involved in the other dance school from AM. However both schools attend the Bute games and parades.

 

[Neko Luna Moon]

His connection with Z and highland dancing is what I think it was, if any connection.

That's what I think as well.

With ref to how he took her, I'm of the opinion that he was particularly pleased with himself about this. Hence why he mentioned it afterwards to his group chat pals. Suspect we will never know, as he will enjoy the power of keeping it to himself. JMO

Also agree with this. Something happened that night with regards as to how she ended up out the house that he knows no one would immediately be able to guess.

 

[Sleuthdolf]

Hello and thank you.

Yes I read it somewhere, may have been on here and it just struck me. I thought it may have been mentioned at the trial but don’t think it was.
The dancing connection is interesting too. Although AC insisted he never met her, I’m sure he must have seen her about the island when she stayed over. From what I’ve read and the many pics of her, she enjoyed a very social time on her frequent stays with her dad and grandparents and even if he’d never seen her in person , he would certainly have seen pics of her on Toni’s FB and Instra accounts.

The party was on the Sunday, the day before she was taken. It was in Ardrie (sp?) where she lived with her mother and from what I gather it was a school friends birthday party. I doubt Z was there as it was not local to her and I don’t believe she has small children but I could be wrong. I did read that Alesha had enjoyed a dance class the day she arrived on the island, the Thurs before she died.

Same thoughts as mine with the Instagram and FB stuff. Just want to point out that there was a photo of AM shared on here at a highland dancing parade.

Sorry to keep going on about Z but there is something there for me. Not saying she had anything to do with the murder at all. The guilty party has been rightfully convicted. Just too many connections which aren't coincidental. Maybe after the sentencing we may get more information on this.

I think it's shocking how she was allowed to be around children (and keep her own) after what she did. I think there is a paedophile ring on the island. Too many stories out there for such a small place in regards to paedophilia.

I will have to take some time away from here as it's taken up too much of my thoughts and time. I hate that these things go under the radar and nothing is done until too late. AC is utter scum who deserves the worst treatment and demise.

 

[Rhenish]

Hello all, I’ve been a lurker for a while on these forums but have never been inclined to post before, yet this terribly sad case has touched me deeply and I’ve spent many hours reading these threads, hearing everyone’s POV . There are some very knowledgable sleuths on here !

I’m 100% certain the right person has been convicted , the evidence against him is overwhelming, IMO. The DNA, CCTV, his Snapchat videos after her murder, the knife and his desperate last ditch off the wall defence collectively shouts guilty. Tellingly his own mother was of the option he was responsible as soon as she viewed the CCTV and her refusal to support him at trial speaks volumes. There was obviously something very dark about his character which she knew about and I’m sure once sentenced, even more will be revealed about this monster .

Like many, I’m not sure how he managed to get Alesha out the flat without her crying out or anyone waking up. It’s known Alesha had a very busy Sunday, she’d attended a party , played at the park and then gone shopping . She was also late in settling down between 10-11 and was up again after she’d been put to bed. I’m guessing she was very tired and was deep in sleep when her killer crept in and took her from her bed. I’m also of the opinion that she woke sometime before he entered the shelter with her (marine parade) started to cry and he shook her violently to quieten her, that’s when she suffered the spinal injury mentioned in her PM . JMO .

I’m not really interested in getting into his mind of why he did it. Each expert has a different option on what makes killers tick and it will be the same for A.C. I believe that some people are just wired wrong and unless her opens up and starts talking we will never know why he took that little girls life in the most harrowing of ways.

My heart breaks for that little girl and her story has touched me unlike any other. She was obviously a very much loved little girl. Her pictures show a happy, healthy child who was very much the centre of both families world. Her dad certainly seems to have stepped up and been a very hands on dad , the fact her parents split when she was only a few months old and there was distance between them,he still managed to see her every other weekend and the holidays. The pain and guilt he must feel is surely a living hell. I hope one day they can all find a little peace but I expect it’s going to take a very, very long time.

As for her killer, I hope he never feels the sun on his face again.

Welcome Eve71

I, like you, have no doubt that Aaron Campbell Thomas is solely the one and only murderer responsible for little Alesha MacPhail's death and that he acted alone planning her murder and carrying it out.

I also have to agree that Aaron Cambell Thomas's own mother not attending her son's murder trial does speak volumes with regard to her son's guilt, as well as the fact that at Christmas she did not go visit her 16 year old where he was being held in custody pending his trial.

 

[Owlpellet]

It has just occurred to me that maybe AC’s primary attraction was always to the younger girls in the Highland Dance School and that he formed connections with Z and others as a cover for possibly getting to know some of them and hanging around events. Apologies if that has already been discussed.

I think Z’s crimes were solely with post-pubescent, teenage girls? A different victim group. She may have been unaware of AC’s predilections. The only connection may be that young people’s organisations can sadly attract predators.

 

[Owlpellet]

I was convinced by the presentation of the evidence that AC is guilty of the crime.

But I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the conspiracy theory too. Just in case! So... if AC was framed the only evidence against him that could have been planted was the semen from the condom.

The rest of the evidence, some circumstantial, could not have been controlled and some of it could have easily gone in his favour:

1 If only he had returned home after having sex at the bus stop and the cctv at his house could have given him an alibi
2 If only he had witnessed some part of the crime during his walk instead of heading off on his own into the woods or wherever for an hour or so and not meeting anyone or being caught again on cctv
3 If only he hadn’t returned home and had a shower in the dark, only turning the light on briefly at the end and gone back out wearing just shorts and carrying something he said was a t shirt
4 If only he’d returned wearing said t shirt or still carrying it, instead of concealing it in his shorts and making it look like he’d just disposed of some clothing
5 If only a big Jamie Oliver knife matching the ones from his house hadn’t found on the beach
Note: there were TWO knifes missing from the block so he may well have thrown the other one very far away
6 If only he hadn’t gone pier jumping alone earlier in the week
7 and worn his jogging pants and boxers instead of just going in his swimming shorts
8 and changed on the beach instead of on the pier and just left his clothes beside his towel
9 and that big tidal wave hadn’t washed them away
10 and the fibres from both joggers and boxers hadn’t matched the fibres found on the body!
11 If only he hadn’t made that silly video saying he did it before anyone knew a perpetrator was involved and she hadn’t just wandered off
12 And if only he hadn’t googled “how police collect dna” when he’d just been told that the perps dna would be all over the scene and come up with a wiki page that included info about dna being present in condoms.
Etc

But the thing I find really compelling, more than all this bad luck that couldn’t have been predicted by someone trying to frame him, was that he never claimed to have been “lured” to have sex at the bus stop. Sure, he said he had contact on instagram.. but that night HE sent messages asking to buy dope just before he set off.

So we would have to believe that a spontaneous operation was initiated immediately after his careless disposal of the condom, where the terrible crime was carried out with almost military efficiency. The perpetrator would have had to have been fully kitted out with gloves and hair cover and protective clothing (or similar joggers and red boxers) in order not to leave any of their own dna at the scene. They only had a short space of time to carry it all out, get away without being detected and without leaving a shred of evidence. And then efficiently clean themselves up and dispose of all contaminated clothing. And carry on without arousing any suspicion. Maybe a navy seal could do it.

The crime WAS spontaneous. And ineptly carried out. And a lot of evidence was left behind. All pointing to AC.

Just because there may be other criminal activity on the island, doesn’t mean that it’s all connected in some kind of conspiracy. I can understand the pull to believe that it was so. It’s preferable to trying to get our heads around the idea that paedophilia is more common than we would like to believe and that such terrible crimes may be carried out by people we would never have believed capable of such things.

 

[Eve71]

That's what I think as well.

Also agree with this. Something happened that night with regards as to how she ended up out the house that he knows no one would immediately be able to guess.

Hello,

I’ve pondered this for some time and like others it’s something I keep going back to. However, common sense tells me that it really was as simple as him after having tried unsuccessfully to contact both Rab and Toni, and having been unable to score from anyone else, he decided to make the short walk to Rabs home and hopefully ask him directly . On arriving he found the key in the door and let himself in, quite what his motive was at that precise time we will never know but IMO he was originally their to score. Imo, he either got lucky and stumbled on Alesha sleeping in her bed pretty quickly or she was in the living area, maybe sleep walking. It’s possible she could have been out on the stairwell but I find this unlikely. I also completely rule out Toni offering her to him.

 

[Kikixxxx]

I was convinced by the presentation of the evidence that AC is guilty of the crime.

But I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the conspiracy theory too. Just in case! So... if AC was framed the only evidence against him that could have been planted was the semen from the condom.

The rest of the evidence, some circumstantial, could not have been controlled and some of it could have easily gone in his favour:

1 If only he had returned home after having sex at the bus stop and the cctv at his house could have given him an alibi
2 If only he had witnessed some part of the crime during his walk instead of heading off on his own into the woods or wherever for an hour or so and not meeting anyone or being caught again on cctv
3 If only he hadn’t returned home and had a shower in the dark, only turning the light on briefly at the end and gone back out wearing just shorts and carrying something he said was a t shirt
4 If only he’d returned wearing said t shirt or still carrying it, instead of concealing it in his shorts and making it look like he’d just disposed of some clothing
5 If only a big Jamie Oliver knife matching the ones from his house hadn’t found on the beach
Note: there were TWO knifes missing from the block so he may well have thrown the other one very far away
6 If only he hadn’t gone pier jumping alone earlier in the week
7 and worn his jogging pants and boxers instead of just going in his swimming shorts
8 and changed on the beach instead of on the pier and just left his clothes beside his towel
9 and that big tidal wave hadn’t washed them away
10 and the fibres from both joggers and boxers hadn’t matched the fibres found on the body!
11 If only he hadn’t made that silly video saying he did it before anyone knew a perpetrator was involved and she hadn’t just wandered off
12 And if only he hadn’t googled “how police collect dna” when he’d just been told that the perps dna would be all over the scene and come up with a wiki page that included info about dna being present in condoms.
Etc

But the thing I find really compelling, more than all this bad luck that couldn’t have been predicted by someone trying to frame him, was that he never claimed to have been “lured” to have sex at the bus stop. Sure, he said he had contact on instagram.. but that night HE sent messages asking to buy dope just before he set off.

So we would have to believe that a spontaneous operation was initiated immediately after his careless disposal of the condom, where the terrible crime was carried out with almost military efficiency. The perpetrator would have had to have been fully kitted out with gloves and hair cover and protective clothing (or similar joggers and red boxers) in order not to leave any of their own dna at the scene. They only had a short space of time to carry it all out, get away without being detected and without leaving a shred of evidence. And then efficiently clean themselves up and dispose of all contaminated clothing. And carry on without arousing any suspicion. Maybe a navy seal could do it.

The crime WAS spontaneous. And ineptly carried out. And a lot of evidence was left behind. All pointing to AC.

Just because there may be other criminal activity on the island, doesn’t mean that it’s all connected in some kind of conspiracy. I can understand the pull to believe that it was so. It’s preferable to trying to get our heads around the idea that paedophilia is more common than we would like to believe and that such terrible crimes may be carried out by people we would never have believed capable of such things.

Amazing post! Everything you said just puts everything into perspective and it makes the idea aaron was set up even more laughable than before really.

I never doubted he did it, I did wonder “why”, just because he is so young, and seemed to have everything going for him, lots of friends, a girlfriend, intelligent etc, it’s hard to get your head around a 16 year old could do something like this, but like someone said earlier, we will never know what makes a killer tick and why he done what he did that night, what we do know is that the perpetrator is behind bars, and he will be for a very long time, possibly for the rest of his life.

The police did say “we caught a serial killer on his first murder”.

 

[Eve71]

It has just occurred to me that maybe AC’s primary attraction was always to the younger girls in the Highland Dance School and that he formed connections with Z and others as a cover for possibly getting to know some of them and hanging around events. Apologies if that has already been discussed.

I think Z’s crimes were solely with post-pubescent, teenage girls? A different victim group. She may have been unaware of AC’s predilections. The only connection may be that young people’s organisations can sadly attract predators.

Yes, I would agree he was attracted to very young girls. The rape and semen prove this beyond a doubt. He was also a sadist, again the brutality he inflicted points to this. I don’t really know enough about his connection to Z but I doubt she played any part in his crime. Im amazed Z is allowed anywhere near children, considering her past . Surely she’s on the sex offenders register and part of that is not being allowed round children?

 

[Sleuthdolf]

Hello,

I’ve pondered this for some time and like others it’s something I keep going back to. However, common sense tells me that it really was as simple as him after having tried unsuccessfully to contact both Rab and Toni, and having been unable to score from anyone else, he decided to make the short walk to Rabs home and hopefully ask him directly . On arriving he found the key in the door and let himself in, quite what his motive was at that precise time we will never know but IMO he was originally their to score. Imo, he either got lucky and stumbled on Alesha sleeping in her bed pretty quickly or she was in the living area, maybe sleep walking. It’s possible she could have been out on the stairwell but I find this unlikely. I also completely rule out Toni offering her to him.

I don't think he has gone round there to ask directly for weed. He didn't have any for months (from Rab) before then and at that time in the morning too. Why would he go knocking on their door at a ridiculous time when he knew his parents and daughter was there, after his mother warned Rab not to sell to him. Toni would have passed the message back to her via her aunt.

I think it was a spontaneous fantasy plan (to some extent). There may have been lots of social media photos of Alesha inside the house so he at least had a feel for the layout. People were known to leave their doors unlocked too. This mixed with an overwhelming urge that night and pure luck that the door was open got her out the house.

 

[Owlpellet]

Yes, I would agree he was attracted to very young girls. The rape and semen prove this beyond a doubt. He was also a sadist, again the brutality he inflicted points to this. I don’t really know enough about his connection to Z but I doubt she played any part in his crime. Im amazed Z is allowed anywhere near children, considering her past . Surely she’s on the sex offenders register and part of that is not being allowed round children?

You have a good point re the sex offenders register. You would indeed have expected her to have been barred from working with children. She does have children of her own. Of various ages...

We’re avoiding discussion of any connections between Z and AC.

Sleuthing of children or victims is against the rules of this site. Which is fair enough

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I was convinced by the presentation of the evidence that AC is guilty of the crime.

But I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the conspiracy theory too. Just in case! So... if AC was framed the only evidence against him that could have been planted was the semen from the condom.

The rest of the evidence, some circumstantial, could not have been controlled and some of it could have easily gone in his favour:

1 If only he had returned home after having sex at the bus stop and the cctv at his house could have given him an alibi
2 If only he had witnessed some part of the crime during his walk instead of heading off on his own into the woods or wherever for an hour or so and not meeting anyone or being caught again on cctv
3 If only he hadn’t returned home and had a shower in the dark, only turning the light on briefly at the end and gone back out wearing just shorts and carrying something he said was a t shirt
4 If only he’d returned wearing said t shirt or still carrying it, instead of concealing it in his shorts and making it look like he’d just disposed of some clothing
5 If only a big Jamie Oliver knife matching the ones from his house hadn’t found on the beach
Note: there were TWO knifes missing from the block so he may well have thrown the other one very far away
6 If only he hadn’t gone pier jumping alone earlier in the week
7 and worn his jogging pants and boxers instead of just going in his swimming shorts
8 and changed on the beach instead of on the pier and just left his clothes beside his towel
9 and that big tidal wave hadn’t washed them away
10 and the fibres from both joggers and boxers hadn’t matched the fibres found on the body!
11 If only he hadn’t made that silly video saying he did it before anyone knew a perpetrator was involved and she hadn’t just wandered off
12 And if only he hadn’t googled “how police collect dna” when he’d just been told that the perps dna would be all over the scene and come up with a wiki page that included info about dna being present in condoms.
Etc

But the thing I find really compelling, more than all this bad luck that couldn’t have been predicted by someone trying to frame him, was that he never claimed to have been “lured” to have sex at the bus stop. Sure, he said he had contact on instagram.. but that night HE sent messages asking to buy dope just before he set off.

So we would have to believe that a spontaneous operation was initiated immediately after his careless disposal of the condom, where the terrible crime was carried out with almost military efficiency. The perpetrator would have had to have been fully kitted out with gloves and hair cover and protective clothing (or similar joggers and red boxers) in order not to leave any of their own dna at the scene. They only had a short space of time to carry it all out, get away without being detected and without leaving a shred of evidence. And then efficiently clean themselves up and dispose of all contaminated clothing. And carry on without arousing any suspicion. Maybe a navy seal could do it.

The crime WAS spontaneous. And ineptly carried out. And a lot of evidence was left behind. All pointing to AC.

Just because there may be other criminal activity on the island, doesn’t mean that it’s all connected in some kind of conspiracy. I can understand the pull to believe that it was so. It’s preferable to trying to get our heads around the idea that paedophilia is more common than we would like to believe and that such terrible crimes may be carried out by people we would never have believed capable of such things.

Fab post! But you missed one, if I may...

If only he hadn't removed the condom after having sex, and handed it to his partner saying "take this and bin it for me, would you?"