A teenager has been found guilty of murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, killed the child after abducting and raping her in Rothesay, Bute, on July 2 last year.

He was convicted on Thursday following a nine-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Armed with a knife, he took Alesha out of her bed before carrying the child to the former Kyles Hydropathic Hotel on the island where he raped and murdered her.

Her body was found in a wooded area of the island a few hours after she was reported missing.

The murderer will be sentenced on March 21. As he was led downstairs, a man in the public gallery shouted "evil" and another said "fu***** scumbag".

Lord Matthews said the boy had carried out "some of the most evil and wicked crimes" heard in a Scottish court.

He made the remarks having previously jailed - among others - serial killer Angus Sinclair.

After the verdict, Mr McSporran revealed members of Alesha's heartbroken family had written moving victim impact statements for the court.

He said: "Words alone cannot express how they have been affected and are still finding it difficult to come to terms with.

"The loss of any young child would be hard to bear, but to lose one in such a bestial way is unfathomable."

The boy previously claimed Alesha's dad's girlfriend, Toni McLachlan, had "murder on her mind", blaming the 19-year-old for the killing.

But a jury found him guilty of the abduction, rape and murder following three hours of deliberations on Thursday.

Alesha had 117 injuries, the trial heard, although some could have been caused by vegetation.

Mr McSporran said Alesha's mum Georgina spoke of the "world having been ripped apart".

He added: "She has nightmares thinking what was done to her daughter."

The court also heard of the family's "hatred" towards the boy and "the irreparable pain".

Mr McSporran meantime emphasised Toni McLachlan was entirely innocent.

The prosecutor said: "She has nothing whatsoever to do with this awful case."

Mr McSporran also said the boy had been seen by a psychiatrist for possible "insanity or diminished responsibility".

He added: "There was no such issue."

Giving evidence, a 16-year-old girl told the court Alesha going missing was discussed in a Snapchat group chat of around 25 friends on Monday, July 2 last year.

She said the accused sent a video of himself filmed in a mirror showing his top half but not his face to the group, followed by the message: "Found the guy who has done it."

DNA of the boy was found on various parts of Alesha's body, including intimate areas, with 14 samples matching the accused.

Lord Matthews had told him: "It will be obvious to anyone that Alesha MacPhail was a sweet angelic little girl."

He said the girl had arrived on Bute looking forward to the holidays.

She would have grown up and may even have taken her own children to the island, he added.

But the judge went on: "Instead you came into her life.

"You then stole it in committing some of the most evil and wicked crimes this court has ever heard in decades of dealing with depravity."

"I have no idea what made you do it. The evidence was overwhelming."

The judge also said incrimination of Toni McLachlan was "ridiculous".

Alesha's family said: "We can't believe that we will never see our wee angel Alesha again. We miss her so much.

"We hope that the boy who took her from us is jailed for a long time because of what he has done to our family.

"Alesha may be gone from our lives but she will always be in our hearts."

Some jurors appeared emotional after the verdict.

The judge said counselling would be available to them following such a harrowing case.

Lord Matthews: "It is a horrible thing to have to deal with a case of this nature.

"There is a counselling service, if you feel the need to use this. You may not want to take advantage at first, but there is no time limit."

Alesha's mum said: "Words cannot express just how devastated I am to have lost my beautiful, happy, smiley wee girl.

"I am glad that the boy who did this has finally been brought to justice and that he will not be able to inflict the pain on another family that he has done to mine.

"Alesha, I love you so much, my wee pal. I will miss you forever."