The family of tragic Alesha MacPhail have launched a campaign to stop teen killers getting reduced sentences because they are “children”.
And last night, another family ripped apart by a teen killer backed the plea.
The dad of slain footballer Shaun Woodburn added his support to calls by the MacPhail family for a change in the law to treat 16 and 17-year-old killers like adult offenders.
Alesha’s uncle CJ MacPhail has created a petition calling on the Scottish Government to change the law after 16-year-old killer Aaron Campbell was handed a juvenile sentence for her rape and murder.
Judge Lord Matthews said he had to sentence Aaron taking his youth into account, and instead of a mandatory life sentence – handed to adult murderers – Campbell was ordered to be “detained without limit of time”.
Campbell will serve a minimum of 27 years for abducting, raping and murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail on the Isle of Bute last summer.
Alesha’s mum Georgina Lochrane Alesha MacPhail's mum says she 'looks forward to death' of daughter's sick killer yesterday about the sentence, claiming it was not long enough.
Alesha MacPhail killer's chilling confession: 'All I thought about was killing once I saw her'
She said: “A life sentence should be a life sentence. He should have no human rights and doesn’t deserve anything because he is inhuman.
“I will do whatever I can to make the parole board see that he can’t be released back into society.
“As soon as he walks out of the prison gates, he will strike again and I don’t want another child to suffer.”
The online petition, which has almost 5000 signatures, argues that Campbell was given a lesser punishment because he is “still considered a child in the eyes of the court”.
Campbell was named in the media only after the Daily Record launched a court bid to have him identified and it was granted by Lord Matthews.
In an emotional video on Facebook, CJ, who is dad Robert MacPhail’s brother, said: “As of today I am going to be setting up a petition to the Scottish Government in relation to anyone who is over the age of 16 who commits serious crimes, such as murder and rape.
“They shouldn’t be tried as children because if you can get married at 16 or join the Army at 16, then I’m a strong believer you are an adult when you’re responsible for making your decisions at that point in time. I would like everyone to sign it if possible.”
Kevin Woodburn, whose son Shaun was also killed by a 16-year-old boy, said he fully supports treating teenagers as adults in court.
Shaun died from massive head injuries following a brawl outside Gladstones bar in Edinburgh’s Leith on Hogmanay, 2016.
The 30-year-old had been out enjoying the festivities when he was punched on the head by Mohammed Ibnomer, who was 16 at the time.
Killer Mohammed could not be named in the press after his conviction for culpable homicide because he was under 18. Shaun’s family have been campaigning for changes in the law after the teenage killer was caged for just four years for culpable homicide.
Last night, Kevin said: “Like the rest of the country, I was horrified by Alesha’s tragic death and wish to extend my condolences to her family.
“I was not surprised when the judge said he had to sentence her killer as a child because we had been through a similar sentencing experience with Shaun’s killer.
“The law is wrong. At 16 you can marry, join the Army and they’re discussing reducing the voting age to 16, all of which carry adult responsibilities, so why is this out-of-touch law still in existence that says 16-year-olds must be treated as children?
Alesha MacPhail's mum says she 'looks forward to death' of daughter's sick killer
“I fully support Mr MacPhail’s efforts and will be signing the petition and urging people to do so.”
Campbell raped and murdered Alesha MacPhail's mum says she 'looks forward to death' of daughter's sick killer in the early hours of July 2 last year.
The Airdrie schoolgirl was visiting her dad and his family for three weeks on the isle of Bute when the killer broke into the family home looking for drugs.
He confessed to raping and murdering the six-year-old before he was sentenced yesterday.
He told a social worker he was “satisfied” with the murder and described it as “a moment of opportunity”.
●To sign the petition, visit https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/over-16-to-be-able-to-receive-full-punishment-sentences-for-serious-crimes-such-as-murder-or-rape
