Woman to face trial over air rifle shooting death

A woman is to stand trial accused of shooting and killing her partner with an air rifle in the Scottish Borders.

Simone Ramage, 39, is alleged to have firing the weapon at Brian Kowbel, 40, at their home in Galashiels on 17 February last year.

She pleaded not guilty to culpable homicide. She also denied attempting to pervert the course of justice by hiding the rifle under a sofa and “culpably and recklessly” discharging the weapon towards a fence.

Lord Clark set a trial date for 14 May next year.

At a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, Ms Ramage’s lawyer Mark Stewart said the case involved a “slightly unusual subject matter”.

The KC said Ms Ramage “is someone who suffers greatly from as a consequence of the events."

The court heard Mrs Ramage told police and paramedics at the scene she had fired an "airsoft pistol" at Mr Kowbel.

Air rifles must be registered in Scotland under the terms of the Air Weapon and Licensing (Scotland) Act, which came into force in late 2016.

However, certain airsoft weapons – which are often used in military recreations – are not covered under the act and do not need to be licensed.

Mr Kowbel was taken to Borders General Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.