Brian Kowbel (Image: UGC)

Woman to stand trial charged with shooting partner to death in Galashiels home

Simone Ramage is accused of discharging an air rifle at Brian Kowbel, 40, at their home on February 17, 2023.

by · Daily Record

A woman charged with shooting her partner to death is set to stand trial.

Simone Ramage is accused of discharging an air rifle at Brian Kowbel, 40, at their home in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders on February 17 2023. The culpable homicide allegation claims the 39-year-old did shoot him on the body leaving him so severely hurt that he later passed away in hospital.

Ramage faces three further charges. She is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by concealing the air rifle under a sofa at the property.

Ramage is said to have told police and paramedics that she instead discharged "an airsoft pistol" at Mr Kowbel. She is charged with possession of an air rifle and also claims that she did "culpably and recklessly" fire the weapon towards a fence bordering a car park.

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The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today. Mark Stewart, defending, entered not guilty pleas to the charges that Ramage faces.

The KC said the case involved a "slightly unusual subject matter".

Mr Stewart: "The position is that the accused is someone who suffers greatly from as a consequence of the events."

He added this had caused difficulty for Ramage's lawyers in their preparation of the case. However, the defence advocate and prosecutor Erin Campbell each said they were ready for a trial to be fixed.

Lord Clark set a trial due to begin on May 14 next year in Edinburgh. The case could last up to six days.

Ramage, still of Galashiels, remains on bail meantime.

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