A 16-year-old boy will be sentenced next month after being found guilty of murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail. 

Judge Lord Matthews told the boy he had committed some of the "wickedest, most evil crimes this court has ever heard".

He deferred sentence until March 21.

READ MORE: "I will miss you forever": Alesha MacPhail's mum reacts to guilty verdict

As the accused was led downstairs, a man in the public gallery shouted "evil" and another said "f****** scumbag".

In a statement issued via police, Alesha's mother Georgina Lochrane 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."

The MacPhail 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."

Advocate Depute Iain McSporran, who led the prosecution, said that to have a child taken in the "bestial manner" in which Alesha lost her life was "infathomable".

He read excerpts from a victim impact statement which said her mother suffered nightmares about what had been done to her daughter and her father had experienced "insufferable pain".

Members of the jury were offered a counselling service and were told they did not have to sit on a case again in future if they did not wish to.

READ MORE: Alesha MacPhail murder: Judge to consider if six-year-old's killer should be named

Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston, senior investigating officer in the case for Police Scotland, said: "I welcome today's verdict and hope that it will bring some comfort to the family and friends of little Alesha MacPhail who have been through the most horrific ordeal.

"Throughout the police investigation and this trial, Alesha's family have shown incredible bravery in the face of the most appalling circumstances.

"Alesha's senseless and barbaric murder shocked the small community on Bute and people across Scotland. The effects of her death are still being felt today."

The judge will on Friday consider an application from media outlets to lift a ban on identifying the boy.

Ms Lochrane, who sobbed in court as the verdict was announced, did not comment as she left the building later.

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