Aaron Campbell: Alesha MacPhail’s killer to be guarded by three prison officers at all times

Teenage killer Aaron Campbell will be under the constant watch of three prison warders when he is transferred to an adult prison. Campbell, who was only 16 when he committed the horrific rape and murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail in one of Scotland’s most infamous crimes, is set to be moved from Polmont Young Offenders Institution to Glenochil prison in Alloa to serve the remainder of his life sentence. The move comes six years after the brutal killing. Fellow inmates were taken aback when Campbell was accompanied by three warders during a “preparation” visit to the adult facility.

The Need for Increased Security

• Prison insiders have disclosed that Campbell will require 24/7 protection due to the constant threat of assault from disgusted fellow inmates.
• Campbell only moves around Polmont with a minimum of three prison officers for protection.

This level of security was also evident this Tuesday when Campbell was escorted to Glenochil to familiarise himself with his new “home”. An insider said: “We saw a young guy being walked around with an entourage like he was a pop star, then someone recognised him.”

Background and Challenges

Now aged 22, Campbell is deemed a high-risk prisoner following a crime that left Scotland reeling due to the sheer brutality shown by someone so young. It was when he was just 16 years old that Campbell abducted Alesha from her bed at her grandparents’ home on the Isle of Bute back in July 2018. Entering into the unlocked house around 2 am with the aim of stealing cannabis from Alesha’s father Robert, Campbell instead came upon the unsuspecting girl and took her to the site of a former hotel, where he proceeded to rape and strangle her. Following the horrific act, he denied his deeds, making up a story of how Toni McLachlan, the girlfriend of Alesha’s father, was the actual perpetrator and was trying to frame him. With the requirement for Campbell to be transferred to an adult prison by next May as he turns 23, his pending relocation is set to be a major challenge for Glenochil’s security personnel.

Challenges within the Prison System

• There is said to be mounting animosity towards Campbell among inmates, fuelled by perceptions of favouritism despite the heinous nature of his crimes.
• Attempts were made last year to integrate him with other inmates, but it turned sour when he was beaten up.

Since the incident, it’s been said that he has devoted much time to working out in the gym, aiming to get stronger ahead of his transition to the adult system. A Scottish Prison Service insider stated that all inmates are managed based on the risk they present to staff, other prisoners, and the threat they themselves might face from fellow inmates.

Official Statements

• An SPS representative commented: “We don’t comment on individuals.”

The pending shift of Campbell to an adult prison highlights the gravity of the situation and the need for heightened security measures to ensure the safety of both the inmate and those around him.