GUILTY UK - Alesha MacPhail, 6, raped & murdered, Ardbeg, Isle of Bute, Scotland, 2 Jul 2018 -*arrest* #7

[bronzepurple]

I phoned the high court today and it is open for the public to attend. It starts at 10:30am but you need to get there earlier to get in (she suggested 10:15 although I'd suggest earlier than that just incase). She said it was going to be a busy courtroom, so I guess she expects a lot of the public to turn up as well as journalists. Aaron will not be physically present but will be on video link instead. I have a friend in Edinburgh who says she is going to try and go, so I hope to hear from her about how the day goes. It's happening bang in the middle of the Edinburgh festival. How weird that this will be going on whilst everyone else will be enjoying the festivities outside. Quite the contrast.

 

[Kiranerys]

I phoned the high court today and it is open for the public to attend. It starts at 10:30am but you need to get there earlier to get in (she suggested 10:15 although I'd suggest earlier than that just incase). She said it was going to be a busy courtroom, so I guess she expects a lot of the public to turn up as well as journalists. Aaron will not be physically present but will be on video link instead. I have a friend in Edinburgh who says she is going to try and go, so I hope to hear from her about how the day goes. It's happening bang in the middle of the Edinburgh festival. How weird that this will be going on whilst everyone else will be enjoying the festivities outside. Quite the contrast.

Thanks for taking the time to do that BP,I couldnt find anything online and didnt even think to just call and ask!
It would be great if your friend can attend,@TaylorCallum are you going to go along this time?.
I bet AC is a bit miffed he doesnt get to appear in person!

 

[bronzepurple]

Thanks for taking the time to do that BP,I couldnt find anything online and didnt even think to just call and ask!
It would be great if your friend can attend,@TaylorCallum are you going to go along this time?.
I bet AC is a bit miffed he doesnt get to appear in person!

No problem. Yeah, I bet he is, he probably wanted to turn up in person. I am interested to hear what his appeal is based on. I have the feeling even though he is only via video link he will find a way to say something unexpected and/or try to hurt Alesha's family more. Then again if it's his appeal he will be trying to 'play the game' and do what he can to sway the three judges in his favour, so maybe he won't say anything like that in case it ruins his chances of a reduced sentence.

 

[Kikixxxx]

I rang them too about an hour ago before I saw your message! She said the exact same to me but she was a bit more blunt and moody. she just said yes it is open but he won’t be there. Maybe she thought I was a fan girl or something ..

 

[Kikixxxx]

If he’s on video link does that mean only the judges can see him? Or will the whole court room be able to see? I don’t know how it works

 

[Alyce]

No problem. Yeah, I bet he is, he probably wanted to turn up in person. I am interested to hear what his appeal is based on. I have the feeling even though he is only via video link he will find a way to say something unexpected and/or try to hurt Alesha's family more. Then again if it's his appeal he will be trying to 'play the game' and do what he can to sway the three judges in his favour, so maybe he won't say anything like that in case it ruins his chances of a reduced sentence.

Thanks for the court update BP.... far as I am aware he is appealing the sentence...although I agree he would try and add something in if at all possible just to cause further distress to Genie and her family.

 

[Kiranerys]

The only thing I think he could possibly do is play the poor me card,its too long,its so unfair blah blah blah,OR he might say he was tricked into confessing because he thought he would get a shorter minimum term? He wont say anything that would risk increasing his minimum term so the only other way he could hurt Genie and the Macphails is to say he was coerced and he didnt really do it!!,although I'm sure that would damage his chances too,would cause quite the controversy though!

 

[bronzepurple]

Thanks for the court update BP.... far as I am aware he is appealing the sentence...although I agree he would try and add something in if at all possible just to cause further distress to Genie and her family.

Yeah, I'm just wondering what the basis of his appeal will be though, meaning for what reason is he claiming he deserves a shorter sentence. And yeah he tends to do the unexpected, so I wouldn't put anything past him.

 

[Kiranerys]

Yeah, I'm just wondering what the basis of his appeal will be though, meaning for what reason is he claiming he deserves a shorter sentence. And yeah he tends to do the unexpected, so I wouldn't put anything past him.

I think it will purely be based on his age at the time of the crime and him/his legal team thinking 27 years is too long in relation to his age. I'm not sure if they really believe he has a good chance of winning the appeal or if they just thought sod it,its worth a shot just because we can!

 

[bronzepurple]

I rang them too about an hour ago before I saw your message! She said the exact same to me but she was a bit more blunt and moody. she just said yes it is open but he won’t be there. Maybe she thought I was a fan girl or something ..

I had to call 3 times as every time reception put me through to someone in the correct department no one picked up and I had to ring reception again and they kept trying putting me through to different people's phones - so we may not have spoken to the same person. The lady I eventually spoke to sounded friendly. I'm glad I didn't get the moody one lol. I asked a lot of questions about the day. I don't know regarding the video link - but I assumed the court would be able to see the link....I mean last time didn't everyone get to see him take the stand? Or was he concealed behind something? I can't remember.

 

[Kiranerys]

I had to call 3 times as every time reception put me through to someone in the correct department no one picked up and I had to ring reception again and they kept trying putting me through to different people's phones - so we may not have spoken to the same person. The lady I eventually spoke to sounded friendly. I'm glad I didn't get the moody one lol. I asked a lot of questions about the day. I don't know regarding the video link - but I assumed the court would be able to see the link....I mean last time didn't everyone get to see him take the stand? Or was he concealed behind something? I can't remember.

I think he was in plain sight in the dock and on the stand due to the MSM descriptions of his demeanour etc at the time

 

[Bootlace15]

I think he was in plain sight in the dock and on the stand due to the MSM descriptions of his demeanour etc at the time

Agree sounded that way to me! Yes we'll see what he manages to cook up! What date is it again?

 

[tresir2012]

Yeah, I'm just wondering what the basis of his appeal will be though, meaning for what reason is he claiming he deserves a shorter sentence. And yeah he tends to do the unexpected, so I wouldn't put anything past him.

I'm wondering if it may be based on EU rules as I can't see otherwise. It can't be based on England and Wales higher court decisions IMO so only on Scottish and EU law perhaps.

 

[Kiranerys]

Agree sounded that way to me! Yes we'll see what he manages to cook up! What date is it again?

The 7th I think?

 

[Ardoch]

Sorry just catching up. When and where is the Appeal?

 

[Edinlass]

I’m off work the 7th, so tempted to go up to court...

 

[Kiranerys]

I’m off work the 7th, so tempted to go up to court...

I was going to ask if you were going to go Edinlass with it being local!
And you wouldnt have to look at him cos of the videolink!!

 

[Edinlass]

I was going to ask if you were going to go Edinlass with it being local!
And you wouldnt have to look at him cos of the videolink!!

True - I might go. Is it the high court? I’ve never been in there only the sheriff court

 

[AnnesCuthberts]

Yep, it's the high court!

 

[bronzepurple]

Sorry just catching up. When and where is the Appeal?

7th August at the High Court in Edinburgh. Starts at 10:30am but you need to get their earlier. The lady on the phone suggested 10:15. Are you near Edinburgh?