Heartbroken mum of Alesha MacPhail, 6, comes face-to-face with boy, 16, charged with abducting, raping and murdering tragic daughter
Georgina Lochrane sat in the public gallery at the High Court in Glasgow
THE mum of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail yesterday came face-to-face with the teen accused of killing her daughter.
Georgina Lochrane sat in the public gallery at the High Court in Glasgow as the teenager - who can’t be named because he’s under 18 - denied abduction, rape and murder charges.
Prosecutors claim the 16-year-old took Alesha from her bed at knife-point, smothered and shook her violently before raping and murdering her.
He then allegedly dumped his clothes and the blade and showered the blood from his body in an attempt to cover up the crime.
Georgina, 23, from Airdrie, Lanarkshire - who is a witness in the case - was given special permission by judge Lady Rae to be present in court.
The suspect’s QC Brian McConnachie yesterday pleaded not guilty on his behalf.
The advocate said: “He pleads not guilty to both charges on the indictment.”
Both Mr McConnachie and prosecutor Iain McSporran QC told the court they were ready for a trial to be set.
Mr McSporran said: “Trial is expected to last 10 days.”
Charge one on the indictment claims the teen entered the property armed with a knife on July 2.
It claims he did "remove her from her bed, detain her against her will and carry her to the site of the former Kyles Hydropathic Hotel, remove her clothing, shake her violently, place your hands over her nose and mouth and around her neck and apply pressure to her face and neck".
The papers claim he raped and murdered her.
Charge two is a claim he attempted to defeat the ends of justice on the shore at Rothesay and at another address in the town.
It reads he did "remove clothing worn during the commission of said crime, dispose of said clothing and a knife and wash blood from your body in a shower, all in an attempt to destroy or conceal evidence."
We told in October how Georgina marked what would have been Alesha’s seventh birthday with bubbles and balloons at her graveside.
She said: “I want everyone to think of Alesha today on her birthday.
“She always wanted a bubble party.
“I want people to remember her how she was - and to forget about the hurt and pain.
“We are going up to the spot where she is buried with balloons and a bubble machine as she always wanted a bubble party.
“She may not be here to celebrate with us, but we will make it as if she was never gone.
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“She gave me the best six-and-a-half years of my life.
“I never knew what love was until I laid my eyes on the most loving, caring, beautiful girl.”
We told how Alesha was on holiday with family including dad Rab MacPhail, 26, when she was found dead on Bute on July 2.
Shattered Georgina was comforted by partner George Horn, 34, at a pink-themed funeral attended by 300 mourners.
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