TRACES of DNA belonging to a 16-year-old boy accused of raping and murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail was discovered on the child’s body, a court heard.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies raping and murdering the girl, as well as charges of child abduction and defeating the ends of justice.
Alesha was reported missing by her grandmother, Angela King, at 6.23am on July 2, and the child’s body was found at the site of an abandoned hotel just before 9am that day.
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Forensic scientist Stuart Bailey told the High Court in Glasgow that he was employed to examine the child’s remains for DNA, and to look for evidence in the area where she was found.
Traces of DNA “attributable to the accused” was found on Alesha’s body, in her private area, Mr Bailey told the court.
A report concluded the DNA was “a billion times more likely” to be from the accused than from another individual unrelated to him.
DNA traces matching the teen was also found on Alesha’s face, neck, ankles, knees, and right hand, totalling 14 separate traces, the court heard.
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The scientist with the Scottish Police Authority co-authored three reports, and said no DNA was found on any of the three bus stops in Marine Place in Ardbeg.
In his defence, the accused claimed the DNA had been “planted.”
Swabs were taken from Alesha’s body and Mr Bailey said DNA of two people was found.
Mr Bailey said: “The intimate samples were found to be heavily stained.
“These mixed DNA can be found to contain DNA from Alesha Macphail and [the accused].
“In our opinion the DNA matching him is originating from traces of semen.”
The boy’s DNA traces were also found on Alesha’s shorts, vest and pants, the scientist said.
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No DNA was found at the MacPhail family home, or at the home of the accused when scientists visited on July 3, the court heard.
The trial continues.
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