Alesha MacPhail: YouTube removes horror game videos posted by teenager who raped and murdered 6-year-old girl
Aaron Campbell’s channel included footage of himself playing ‘Slender’ – a game in which a faceless character stalks children through woods
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Videos showing Alesha MacPhail’s teenage killer playing online horror games have been removed by YouTube.
Among several clips taken down was one of Aaron Campbell playing Slender, a game in which a faceless character stalks children through woods.
Six-year-old Alesha was found dead in woodland on the Isle of Bute, where she was holidaying with her grandparents, last summer. Campbell, 16, was convicted of her rape and murder this week.
He kidnapped the youngster from her bed in the middle of the night and inflicted 117 injuries on her before killing her.
YouTube said it had removed his channel as a mark of respect for his victim and her family.
Other videos it took down included Campbell practising parkour and playing on a trampoline.
A spokesman for the technology firm said: “Given the recent conviction, we’ve removed the channel from YouTube.
“Our hearts go out to the victim and her family, and we wish them peace in this incredibly difficult time.”
Campbell is now awaiting sentencing for the killing, and faces a possible life sentence.
His identity was only revealed after the judge who presided over the trial at Glasgow High Court reversed an order which had protected his identity because he was under 18.
Judge Lord Matthews said: “I can’t think of a case in recent times that has attracted such revulsion.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments