UK - Alesha MacPhail, 6, raped & murdered, Ardbeg, Isle of Bute, Scotland, 2 Jul 2018 -teen arrested

[neteditor]

Not sure I believe the Mums comment that she shared the CCTV with police to ‘eliminate’ the accused from the enquiries... IMO it serves to totally incriminate and condemn him. Surely she knows this right? Is she just trying to save face and distance herself from in any way knowing what a monster she was living with/ raising? Don’t know anything about her background but am guessing she’s not really helped keep him in check over the years.

I imagine that was what she hoped it would do, though in her heart she may have known that she may be incriminating him. All that matters is she did the right thing.

 

[LouP1209]

Good morning, I've been reading through the reports of this trial - thank you for the posts.

My heart breaks for this poor little girl,

 

[HayLouise]

Day 5 at the Alesha MacPhail murder and rape trial.


First witness of the day is Peter Morrison. He is a volunteer for the coastguard and was part of the search.

Connor Gillies on Twitter

 

[mrazda71]

I agree with this. It's very easy to blame /violence/video games/whatever but thousands of people access these things on a daily basis and don't go out killing little kids.

Violent obsession often features heavily in the lives of criminals like this boy - that is a fact.

The reason that ALL the other addicts DON'T also go out raping and murdering is that they don't ALSO have the other ingredients for the crazy cake - drug abuse - poor parental boundaries - perhaps a brain wired for Psychpathy ...

It can not be denied that violent play A part AND the worst of it is easier to access than ever.

 

[Edinlass]

Viollent obsession often features heavily in the lives of criminals like this boy - that is a fact.

The reason that ALL the other addicts DON'T also ho out raping and murdering is that they don't ALSO have the other ingredients for the crazy cake - drug abuse - poor parental boundaries - perhaps a brain wired for Psychpathy ...

It can not be denied that violent play A part AND the worst of it is easier to access than ever.

Yes it definitely may play a part mixed with everything you mentioned, it’s not to blame. Let’s not give physchopaths an excuse.

 

[HayLouise]

The day’s evidence in the Alesha MacPhail murder trial begins by hearing evidence from a coastguard volunteer from Rothesay, Peter Morrison.

Fraser Knight on Twitter

He tells the court he found a knife on the beach while searching for a missing girl. Says from his knowledge it could’ve been in the sea, with the receding tide leaving it lying on the shore.

Fraser Knight on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Mr Morrison tells court he discovered a kitchen knife on the shore opposite the house Alesha’s disappeared from.

Connor Gillies on Twitter

 

[53J29]

Great time line Alyce.

....So in the wee hours of Monday Morning in a gorgeous sleeping seaside town it appears that the only one up and about, coming and going, and running back and forth from his house is the accused. I have not heard that anyone else has been seen in any video footage other than the accused other than it appears he is carrying another person. Toni is not seen or caught on any video footage as far as I know and I suspect the defense would leap on that if she had been seen out and about also.

I would think the accused's counsel would have advised him to plead as the accused's defense strategy is pathetic in light of all the evidence. I wonder if the sentencing Judge can impose a harsher sentence when the accused IS found GUILTY as the accused has clearly lied, has not taken responsibility, shows no remorse and is wasting time and money dragging this town and the child's family through more unnecessary

 

[53J29]

Will the accused be named once found guilty?

 

[Edinlass]

Will the accused be named once found guilty?

Nope, he’ll never be named.

 

[neteditor]

Will the accused be named once found guilty?

No. Anonymity for life.

 

[Alyce]

Just bringing this back up for a read

Very long document here but this section gives info re criminal charges when the person is 16

16 and 17 year olds who become involved in offending behaviour can be dealt with in the Children’s Hearing System or the adult criminal justice system depending on whether or not the young person is subject to a compulsory supervision order (CSO).
If a young person is not subject to a CSO and they are charged with a crime after their 16th birthday, the Sheriff can request advice from the Children’s Hearing System regarding the most appropriate disposal for the young person and if minded to do so, can remit the young person to the Children’s Hearing System for disposal of the case.
In these circumstances the young person will likely be placed on a CSO to support their wellbeing needs.
TheSheriff can however choose to deal with the young person in the adult Criminal JusticeSystem. (


http://www.parliament.scot/Research..._and_the_Scottish_Criminal_Justice_System.pdf

 

[HayLouise]

Next witness is Glynn Williams. His dog found “tightly compacted” clothing on the beach while he was out for a walk. He didn’t think anything of it at the time.


Spotted same clothing two days later and flagged it to police after thinking “this isn’t right.”

Connor Gillies on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

First witness in the Alesha MacPhail murder trial this morning is Peter Morrison a Coastguard Volunteer.


He says he found a kitchen knife on the shore almost opposite the house Alesha was staying in.


Left it where it was & continued searching for the child. Called it in later.

Radio Clyde News on Twitter

 

[Legally Bland]

Luke Mitchell was 15 and named after he was found guilty. Has the law changed?

 

[Edinlass]

I don’t think we know yet if he’s being tried under the adult criminal or CSO do we? It may be up to the judge as to the course of action he wants to take. Hopefully he’s so utterly disgusted he doesn’t give him anonymity for life.

 

[HayLouise]

10:44

Coastguard volunteer 'found knife on beach'

Today’s proceedings have got under way.

A coastguard volunteer from Rothesay, who was part of the search for Alesha, is now giving evidence.

He tells the court he found a knife on the beach as he searched for the missing girl.

He says, from his knowledge, the blade could have been in the sea and ended up lying on the shore due to the receding tide.


Alesha MacPhail trial updates as accused teen appears in court for fifth day

 

[Edinlass]

Luke Mitchell was 15 and named after he was found guilty. Has the law changed?

That’s very true. Would need to check why that was the case.

 

[mrazda71]

Sometimes, when there are 4 adults living in the home, one is not surprised or concerned if they hear someone quietly moving about. Dad might have thought it was one of his folks and vice versa.

In my home theres me, my 26 year old, 23 year old insomniac, often my 20 year old home from uni and then also often her 20 year old partner (they've been together nearly 5 years and he's one of the family) my 10 year old son AND ... a few pets ...

I used to be THE lightest sleeper when any of my children were younger but now? Not at all so! My son has always slept like the dead and never been a night or even early morning waker and my 23 year old is ALWAYS up and down to the loo or kitchen ...

I think when you live with other adults, you don't wake at the slightest sound...

AND ... if you think you'd automatically wake if someone let themself into your home at night ... watch Michael McIntyres BBC show ... he let's himself and a film crew and a trio of 'celebrities' into sleeping peoples houses every week (with the permission and keys of one half if the partnership) AND the victim doesn't stir until Michael literally turns on the lights and starts talking ...

 

[neteditor]

Luke Mitchell was 15 and named after he was found guilty. Has the law changed?

Yes the law changed. It used to be children over 16 could be named. Luke was 16 when trial started I believe this is why he was named. This was a highly contentious decision at the time too.

Edited to add link: PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News