Boy, 16, accused of raping and murdering Alesha MacPahail, 6

A TEENAGER accused of abducting, raping and murdering a six-year-old girl blamed a young woman for the crime as he appeared in court today.

The boy is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of the murder of Alesha MacPhail on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in July last year.

The 16-year-old - who cannot be named for legal reasons - denies all charges against him and named a young woman who he claims committed the rape and murder.

His legal team – lead by QC Brian McConnachie – lodged the special defence on his behalf.

Prosecutors allege the boy was armed with a knife when he took Alesha from her bed and carried her to the grounds of the former Kyles Hydropathic Hotel.

The jury was told a hand print belonging to the accused was found on a chair rail leading upstairs at the house.

He is then claimed to have taken off her clothes before placing his hands over her nose and mouth and around her neck.

Jurors were told heard he went on to rape and murder her before dumping her body in woodland.

The boy then disposed of the clothes he had worn and took a shower to remove blood from his body, the court heard.

Alesha's body was found in woods on the site on July 2 last year.

Her discarded shorts, pants and a vest were discovered nearby, the court was told.

Prosecuting, Ian McSporran said: "She had been murdered. Following a post-mortem examination of her remains, the cause of death was established as 'pressure to neck and face'."

Judge Lord Matthews told the jury that the trial, which is expected to last two weeks, was likely to evoke "strong emotions".

He said: "You have to approach this case with a great deal of professional detachment."

The trial continues.