AARON Campbell, the teenager convicted of raping and murdering Alesha MacPhail, has admitted the crime ahead of sentencing.
Brian McConnachie QC, representing Campbell at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, said the 16-year-old had admitted responsibility for the rape and murder of Alesha, six, in background reports ordered by the judge.
He said: "The most striking thing about these reports is that in the reports Mr Campbell has admitted to responsibility for the rape and murder of Alesha MacPhail."
McConnachie said the psychologist's report found that Campbell "presents with a range of traits on the psychopathy checklist and also has a wide range of factors present in relation to potential sexually harmful behaviour".
He said that Campbell's upbringing was "less than ideal" but that this was not a mitigating factor.
He concluded: "In dealing with this matter I would ask your Lordship to have regard to the fact that in imposing the punishment part at this stage it is a punishment part of a significant length undoubtedly which is being imposed upon a child."
Prosecutor Iain McSporran QC referred to a victim impact statement from Alesha's paternal grandparents Angela King and Calum MacPhail.
He said: "They are utterly devastated and heartbroken. She was a beautiful, kind and thoughtful child who they miss every day.
"They are tortured and tormented by the circumstances of her murder. I think overwhelmed is an understatement.
"They do not see how they can live a normal life. Her future was taken and so was theirs."
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