Alesha MacPhail: Witness claims woman felt ‘jealous’ of girl

A woman who a teenager accused of murder blames for the death of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail felt “jealous and threatened” by her, a court has heard.

A boy accused of abducting, raping and murdering six year-old Alesha MacPhail has blamed Toni McLachlan for the crime. Ms McLachlan, pictured, denies the allegations. Picture: John Devlin

However, the High Court in Glasgow also heard Toni McLachlan was said to “love” Alesha and be “really good” to her.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies abducting, raping and murdering Alesha and attempting to hide evidence.

Alesha MacPhail, six, was found dead in woodland on the Isle of Bute

The schoolgirl’s body was found in woods on the Isle of Bute on 2 July last year, just hours after she was reported missing from the home her father shared with his parents on the island.

The accused has lodged a special defence of incrimination, blaming Ms McLachlan – the partner of Alesha’s father Robert MacPhail.

Witness Lynsey Calderwood, 20, told the court she was good friends with Ms McLachlan when Alesha went missing.

Questioned about Ms McLachlan’s relationship with the schoolgirl, Ms Calderwood said: “They were happy, they got on really well. Toni was really good to her and they both liked each other.”

A statement she gave to police on 5 July said: “I always felt Toni was jealous and she felt threatened of the time and attention Rab [Robert MacPhail] gave to Alesha.”

The witness told the court Ms McLachlan was a “wee bit jealous”, but not “really jealous” of Alesha.

She also said the day after Alesha went missing Ms McLachlan said something to her along the lines of “she’s in a better place”, which she thought was odd.

Her police statement had Ms McLachlan saying “something like ‘it’s for the best’”.

Ms Calderwood said her friend had definitely said “she’s in a better place”.

Giving evidence last Wednesday, Ms McLachlan denied being responsible for Alesha’s death, saying she “loved” Alesha.

She also denied suggestions by the defence she had sex with the accused on 2 July, then planted his DNA on Alesha, before “attacking and brutalising her” and murdering her.

The case continues.