A 16-year-old convicted of the abduction, rape and murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail can still not be named for legal reasons.
The teenager was also convicted after a nine-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
READ MORE: Teenager found guilty of rape and murder of Alesha MacPhail
Despite the trial’s conclusion, the law in Scotland prevents identification of any accused persons, witnesses and convicted criminals under the age of 18.
Even when details are revealed in open court, journalists are prohibited from publishing the name, address, school or any details which could lead to the identification of any live person under 18 involved in criminal proceedings.
As Alesha is dead, it is permissible for her name and photograph to be used in the media.
The age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is eight years old, and the age at which a child can be prosecuted is 12.
According to court sources, the media have applied to have this anonymity lifted to identify the boy who raped and murdered Alesha.
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