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

[Eve71]

I think her room was possibly the first room he went in, and ive always believed he was wanting weed. He rang at least 3 other weed dealers around the same time that he rang toni and rab, if his primary intention was to abduct alesha, he would just go round and see if any lights were on (if he was checking if they were awake or something). If he hadn't rang toni or rab, i dont think he would have been suspected so early on as Toni said she 'had a bad feeling about Aaron' so that already planted a seed in her head... then Toni asked her aunty, who asked Aarons mum to check her CCTV... although i think his mum would have checked anyway at some point that day.

Also, when toni returned aarons call the next morning and he text her saying 'sorry doesnt matter' that was a big part of the evidence that ruined his defense, by him texting that it made it appear that he didn't actually meet toni that night coz why would she need to return his call? his defense would have made more sense without this text.

IMO if he had planned it, he would have done things a LOT better, all the evidence along with his CCTV implies this wasn't 'thought out' and quite frankly one big mess that would lead directly to him.

I completely agree with you. I too believe he went to buy weed and things just escalated from there. I’m sure had it not been Alesha that night, he’d have found another victim in the not to distant future. I’m sure he’s harboured sick fantasies regarding very young girls for some time, the key in the door gave him the opportunity but ultimately I will always lean to his original motive for even going to Rabs home was to buy weed. The key is the answer imo and like you’ve said, he was very haphazard. Without that key he’d have never gained access to Alesha.

You may have hit the nail with Aleshas room being the first , jeeeez.... fate really was unkind to her that morning.

 

[bronzepurple]

Does anyone know what time the sentencing starts tomorrow?

 

[Sleuthdolf]

I wouldn't put past him deliberately making those calls to cover for himself. He happened to go and see if RM was awake at 2am to ask for weed after not buying any from him for a while, and knowing that his mother asked RM not to sell to him.

I also don't believe he didn't know or never interacted with Alesha. I think he had this fantasy for a long time and he had incredible luck that the key was in the door. Yes, it is a spontaneous action with some premeditated thoughts.

 

[Yenriac]

I wouldn't put past him deliberately making those calls to cover for himself. He happened to go and see if RM was awake at 2am to ask for weed after not buying any from him for a while, and knowing that his mother asked RM not to sell to him.

I also don't believe he didn't know or never interacted with Alesha. I think he had this fantasy for a long time and he had incredible luck that the key was in the door. Yes, it is a spontaneous action with some premeditated thoughts.

BMB. This exactly, i think the calls were a cover too. In an attempt to prove he was looking for weed and not committing rape and murder.

He thought about these small details for a while but his victim was spontaneous. If it hadn't been Alesha it would have been someone else.

 

[Kikixxxx]

BMB. This exactly, i think the calls were a cover too. In an attempt to prove he was looking for weed and not committing rape and murder.

He thought about these small details for a while but his victim was spontaneous. If it hadn't been Alesha it would have been someone else.

But wasn’t the phone calls made before he went round? At that point he wouldn’t have known they’d of been a key in the door or he’d of been able to get in to rabs flat or that alesha was even there

I deffinitley agree that it was spontaneous mixed with premeditated thoughts like @Sleuthdolf mentioned though

 

[Yenriac]

But wasn’t the phone calls made before he went round? At that point he wouldn’t have known they’d of been a key in the door or he’d of been able to get in to rabs flat or that alesha was even there

I deffinitley agree that it was spontaneous mixed with premeditated thoughts like @Sleuthdolf mentioned though

Yes. He also went out with a knife not knowing the key was in the door so maybe Alesha wasn't the intended victim that night, he noticed the key in the door and she became his victim. He took the opportunity.

 

[Yenriac]

Does anyone know what time the sentencing starts tomorrow?

Unsure, however i think court opens at 10am. Someone else might know better than me.

 

[Sleuthdolf]

Yes. He also went out with a knife not knowing the key was in the door so maybe Alesha wasn't the intended victim that night, he noticed the key in the door and she became his victim. He took the opportunity.

Maybe after being told RM wouldn't sell to him again, he tried to buy from him but was told no on several ocassions. This could have built up a deep resentment. And/or he had a crush on Toni which built up jealosy towards RM. These are the only reasons I see him going there with the intent to hurt RM/TM.

For all we know he overheard a conversation where Toni made an off the cuff comment about RM's step-mom leaving the key in the door and he remembered it, saw a light on in Alesha's room or even her in the window (is this possible?), he waved at her and she came to the door. Because as someobody else pointed out it's the boyfriend of her 'hero' dancer. Facebook posts would give him a lot of information. I'm not saying that I believe this, just one of crazy scenarios I have thought of.

On a personal POV I have become quite paranoid about somebody breaking into my house since this case and check if my door is locked more times than I normally would. I hate Facebook too (deleted ages ago) and think people are way too open on there. Especially with their children and activities.

 

[Ardoch]

Wasn't there also something about calls being deleted or not found between AC and T?

 

[Sleuthdolf]

Wasn't there also something about calls being deleted or not found between AC and T?

I think that was his claim that they would comment on old Instagram photos for their secret meets. A ridiculous lie.

 

[Yenriac]

Maybe after being told RM wouldn't sell to him again, he tried to buy from him but was told no on several ocassions. This could have built up a deep resentment. And/or he had a crush on Toni which built up jealosy towards RM. These are the only reasons I see him going there with the intent to hurt RM/TM.

For all we know he overheard a conversation where Toni made an off the cuff comment about RM's step-mom leaving the key in the door and he remembered it, saw a light on in Alesha's room or even her in the window (is this possible?), he waved at her and she came to the door. Because as someobody else pointed out it's the boyfriend of her 'hero' dancer. Facebook posts would give him a lot of information. I'm not saying that I believe this, just one of crazy scenarios I have thought of.

On a personal POV I have become quite paranoid about somebody breaking into my house since this case and check if my door is locked more times than I normally would. I hate Facebook too (deleted ages ago) and think people are way too open on there. Especially with their children and activities.

Yes very possible.
I definitely think he had some resentment towards TM and RM, the crush is also a possibility.
I too have crazy scenarios going on, a few times I've thought TM was the intended victim.
AC could have told Alesha he was taking her to see her 'hero'? Maybe that's why he got her out the flat so easily.
I have always double checked the locks before bed, but more so since this happened.
My Facebook was deleted in 2010, far too much of people's lives on show for the public IMO. I've always said it's trouble.

 

[Ardoch]

I think that was his claim that they would comment on old Instagram photos for their secret meets. A ridiculous lie.

I've always been confused about the tech/telephone calls aspects of the case. And what was the expert/s at court trying to explain about calls that evening?

 

[Ardoch]

Agree. The abduction is baffling but realistically I think it’s a simple as Alesha, after a very busy day was simply in a very deep sleep when he carried her out. I don’t think the knife would have been of any use , a six year old would still scream out, she would not have understood the consequence of it. I do think she awoke soon after though , maybe near the shelter, (marine parade) The court transcripts for the prosecution do state that he used a knife to silence her and that he did take her from her bed.

A.C. was given a head start because the key was in the door, entry was simple. My q’s have always been....what was his original motive for visiting the flat and how did he know which room Alesha was in without disturbing anyone else?

That would also explain why he took her across the road - away from any houses with windows open.

It's the conflicting aspects of the case that I need answered and only as a member of the general public never mind her poor family!
One minute it seems planned the next - not. AC's first crime - so horrendous and yet nothing (as far as we know) that indicates an abusive background nor anything criminal on his PC.
His reactions are all over the place during and after the act.

 

[Sleuthdolf]

Yes very possible.
I definitely think he had some resentment towards TM and RM, the crush is also a possibility.
I too have crazy scenarios going on, a few times I've thought TM was the intended victim.
AC could have told Alesha he was taking her to see her 'hero'? Maybe that's why he got her out the flat so easily.
I have always double checked the locks before bed, but more so since this happened.
My Facebook was deleted in 2010, far too much of people's lives on show for the public IMO. I've always said it's trouble.

Then I think back to the CCTV with her legs dangling. This implies that she most likely was unconscious (knocked out or asleep). If he coerced her out I'd imagine she would walk (feet were clean so not this) or he told her get onto his back for a piggy ride. Legs dangling would fit into that scenario. I suppose without seeing the footage we won't be able to know. The hand print only being on the chair lift rail and no evidence in the house too. Can DNA be that contaminated with people rushing around the house, that there would be no hair fibres or prints of any kind inside?

Yes, and the modern day witch hunt brigade.

 

[Sleuthdolf]

I've always been confused about the tech/telephone calls aspects of the case. And what was the expert/s at court trying to explain about calls that evening?

Another thing I'd like to know is if he called the other dealers before or after calling RM and TM.

 

[Eve71]

I wouldn't put past him deliberately making those calls to cover for himself. He happened to go and see if RM was awake at 2am to ask for weed after not buying any from him for a while, and knowing that his mother asked RM not to sell to him.

I also don't believe he didn't know or never interacted with Alesha. I think he had this fantasy for a long time and he had incredible luck that the key was in the door. Yes, it is a spontaneous action with some premeditated thoughts.

The timing of those calls actually did the opposite , imo, they helped put him in the frame. If he had intentions of abducting Alesha, calling her dad and Toni would be the last thing he’d have done. I’m certain those calls were genuinely to buy weed. The fact he’d tried to score several times that morning, with no luck sort of proves the point. Jmo though.

I agree he certainly had fantasies about very young girls. If his motive was anger or to hurt Rab/Toni, he’d have simply murdered Alesha, but the rape was a whole other level of depravity, he’s a paedophile sadist . His motive for taking her was sexual but visiting the flat was to score. There is just no way he would have known the key was in the door.

The knife is interesting too, it’s almost a given it was his, what was his use for it ....was it that he always carried a knife with him? Or something else? Did he drop it or throw it away? My guess is he dropped it . May have been one of the things he was looking for on CCTV along with his phone.

 

[Yenriac]

I've been wondering if creeping about the island with a knife during the night was a regular occurrence for him?

 

[Eve71]

Then I think back to the CCTV with her legs dangling. This implies that she most likely was unconscious (knocked out or asleep). If he coerced her out I'd imagine she would walk (feet were clean so not this) or he told her get onto his back for a piggy ride. Legs dangling would fit into that scenario. I suppose without seeing the footage we won't be able to know. The hand print only being on the chair lift rail and no evidence in the house too. Can DNA be that contaminated with people rushing around the house, that there would be no hair fibres or prints of any kind inside?

Yes, and the modern day witch hunt brigade.

Yes, I think she woke near the shelter and he shook her violently causing the spinal injury stated in her PM . There is no doubt in my mind she’d have been scared and crying, struggling and even screaming. Carrying a non compliant child who’s emotionally distresssed is no easy task, add into that, it’s early morning, very quiet, height of summer where windows are open and you’re sweating because your in the middle of an abduction not wanting to be seen....that’s when he shook her into silence.

 

[Sleuthdolf]

The timing of those calls actually did the opposite , imo, they helped put him in the frame. If he had intentions of abducting Alesha, calling her dad and Toni would be the last thing he’d have done. I’m certain those calls were genuinely to buy weed. The fact he’d tried to score several times that morning, with no luck sort of proves the point. Jmo though.

I agree he certainly had fantasies about very young girls. If his motive was anger or to hurt Rab/Toni, he’d have simply murdered Alesha, but the rape was a whole other level of depravity, he’s a paedophile sadist . His motive for taking her was sexual but visiting the flat was to score. There is just no way he would have known the key was in the door.

The knife is interesting too, it’s almost a given it was his, what was his use for it ....was it that he always carried a knife with him? Or something else? Did he drop it or throw it away? My guess is he dropped it . May have been one of the things he was looking for on CCTV along with his phone.

My twist on that would be, he could have made the calls to make it look as if he wanted to buy weed as a sort of alibi. As a long time cannabis smoker (shame on me) it is not a drug that you crave for so much that you go out at that time in a desperate search for it. If we were talking about cocaine or heroin i'd understand that more. Apparently he was an infrequent smoker.

He could have done it to anger them, mixed with being a sadistic paedophile. A sort of i'll show you. I'm not dismissing you, I just don't see this has been proven from the available evidence. I've been watching too much Line of Duty this week.

It was quoted that he carried knives regularly. Maybe he took it out as a false of habbit, for the crime he commited or he did want to hurt RM. The more I think of it the more I feel he didn't happen to go out with one intention(not the crime) and end up happening to kidnap, rape and murder.

 

[Yenriac]

My twist on that would be, he could have made the calls to make it look as if he wanted to buy weed as a sort of alibi. As a long time cannabis smoker (shame on me) it is not a drug that you crave for so much that you go out at that time in a desperate search for it. If we were talking about cocaine or heroin i'd understand that more. Apparently he was an infrequent smoker.

He could have done it to anger them, mixed with being a sadistic paedophile. A sort of i'll show you. I'm not dismissing you, I just don't see this has been proven from the available evidence. I've been watching too much Line of Duty this week.

It was quoted that he carried knives regularly. Maybe he took it out as a false of habbit, for the crime he commited or he did want to hurt RM. The more I think of it the more I feel he didn't happen to go out with one intention(not the crime) and end up happening to kidnap, rape and murder.

Yes i agree with this and said something similar upthread.
I think he made these calls to have a reason to be out during the night. Yes RM and TM are included in those calls but as i previously said Alesha may not have been his intended victim at first.
I also keep coming back to TM saying she had a bad feeling about him. Why would she say that?
That was never explored in court.

Line of duty is great stuff!!