By Russell Findlay

Even at the end, teenage inadequate Aaron Campbell could not help himself. While being led away in handcuffs, a self-satisfied smirk spread across his face.

Few crimes have provoked such revulsion as the abduction, rape and murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail on the Isle of Bute last summer.

To all right-thinking people, Campbell elicits primal feelings of disgust and disbelief. But his final smirk confirms what had been apparent all along - he is getting his kicks from the notoriety.

More than 120 people packed into the High Court in Glasgow to see Campbell being sentenced for his monstrous deeds, one month after he was found guilty.

Alesha's devastated family, stoic and dignified throughout, were thronged by journalists, police officers, curious members of the public and some of the jurors who had returned in their own time.

Clearly savouring the attention, Campbell showed no contrition, no shame - just the same smug satisfaction that had been on display throughout his nine-day trial.

From the very beginning, the arrogant teen has been playing a game.

During the murder inquiry, he sent friends a Snapchat selfie captioned 'found the guy who's done it'. In court he concocted a twisted and fantastical tissue of lies in a bid to cheat justice - the most obscene of which was to blame an innocent teenager for his crimes.

When he returned for sentencing, he brought some fresh nasty surprises in the form of a dramatic admission of guilt to the crimes which he had so crudely denied.

His confession, imparted casually to consultant clinical psychologist Dr Gary Macpherson, contained a series of sickening revelations.

Listening in silence, we learned that in the days after the murder he was "totally unconcerned" other than being "amused" that the police had not arrested him.

During the trial, as Alesha's family's hearts were broken day after day, he had to "zip his mouth closed" to stop himself from laughing.

Finding Alesha sleeping in her bed was a "moment of opportunity" and he immediately thought of killing her. He admits duping the dozing child by telling her that he was a friend of her dad and that he was talking her home.

Campbell expressed that he had been "quite satisfied" with the murder.

His lawyer, Brian McConnachie QC, limply concluded that "this is not a case where there can be any pleas in mitigation".

If Campbell hoped his confession would be interpreted favourably, he was wrong. This dramatic 'mea culpa' was not a sincere act of contrition but a vile stunt.

Designed to shock and inflict yet more pain, it was a product of the same twisted mind that spawned the risible defence of smearing an innocent.

Lord Matthews has looked into the eyes of some of some of Scotland's most notorious killers, including arguably the worst of all Angus Sinclair.

Campbell was no match for the respected and experienced judge who has a reputation of being grounded and empathetic.

The judge was measured but unsparing as he addressed the fresh-faced, suited teenager in the dock as "cold, callous, calculating and remorseless".

He described Campbell's defence as a "cruel travesty of the truth" and a product of his "perverted machinations". There was a "staggering lack of remorse".

Campbell will serve at least 27 years in prison. Backdated to his arrest, he will be eligible for parole on July 6, 2045. Alesha, had her life not been taken, would be 33 in 2045, a young woman in her prime.

Just as New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed never to speak the name of the far-right terrorist who slaughtered 50 Muslims, the same effort should be made with that of Alesha's killer.

With every passing year, the name and face of this one-time aspiring YouTube star should fade into obscurity.

Remember Alesha but consign her killer to irrelevant obscurity.