The Scottish Justice Secretary has expressed his sympathy for Alesha MacPhail's family after the schoolgirl's killer Aaron Campbell had his sentence cut.
Humza Yousaf tweeted support for the family and promised to meet them after the evil teenager had his appeal heard on Tuesday.
Aaron Campbell abducted Alesha MacPhail from her bed at her grandparents house on the Isle of Bute last July.
He then raped and murdered the six-year-old in the grounds of an abandoned hotel.
Three of the country’s top judges decided that the minimum term he will serve before being considered for parole will be reduced from 27 years to 24.
Tragic Alesha's furious mum told the Record that the murderer had succeeded in “playing the system” and she fears for the next generation of children
Alesha's uncle Calum MacPhail, who previously launched a petition calling for teen killers and rapists to be treated as adults in court, said the family had been failed by the justice system and described the judgement as "applying salt to a very open wound".
Yousaf tweeted: "Horrific murder of Alesha MacPhail is one of worst crimes in my lifetime - beyond heartbreaking. I completely understand upset (and) anger of Alesha's family.
"I will meet with Alesha's family (and) listen to their concerns."
Campbell, 17, will now be 40 years old when his release can be considered for the first time.
A full written judgement was published - 34 days after judges rose to consider their decision.
Campbell was unanimously convicted by a jury after forcing the family to endure a nine-day trial in February, during which he tried to incriminate Alesha’s dad’s girlfriend for the murder.
He subsequently admitted his guilt to a court psychologist, saying he was “quite satisfied” with the murder and had to “zip his mouth” to stop himself laughing during the trial.
He was sentenced to detention without limit of time in March.
