But tragically, Mr MacPhail wouldn't see his daughter alive again. Mr MacPhail awoke to find the "smiley" youngster missing from the house, which he shared with his parents on the Isle of Bute, Scotland. Taking to the witness stand on Tuesday, the boy told the jury he'd "never do something like that" and that he "never met Alesha MacPhail in person". However, he claimed he did not want to tell police this as he feared it would get back to Mr MacPhail and he would "hurt" Ms McLachlan. Giving evidence in court, Mr MacPhail, who is separated from Alesha's mum, recalled how he had put his daughter to bed with the Peppa Pig DVD.

Source: Daily Mirror February 21, 2019 15:48 UTC