Woman accused of killing partner with air rifle in Scottish Borders 'unfit for trial'

A woman who allegedly killed her partner with an air rifle may be unfit to stand trial.

Simone Ramage, 40, allegedly assaulted Brian Kowbel at a property in Galashiels, Scottish Borders, on February 17 last year.

Court papers state that Ramage shot Mr Kowbel on the body and he died later at hospital.

Ramage also faces a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice by concealing the air rifle underneath a sofa.

Ramage is further claimed to have told paramedics and police officers that she discharged an air pistol at Mr Kowbel.

Another charge says that Ramage culpably and recklessly discharged an air rifle towards a face in a bordering car park of the property.

Ramage did not appear at a virtual hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, where she denies the four charges against her, which include culpable homicide.

Her defence counsel, Mark Stewart KC, told the court that he is awaiting a written report from a psychologist on her.

Mr Stewart said: “The doctor has provided a verbal report that she is clearly unfit to stand trial as she suffers from PTSD and she will need long-term psychological care and treatment.

“The doctor expresses a degree of criticism of the lack of treatment she has received from the medical profession in the last two years.

“He said that had it not been for her GP and family looking after her, she would have been sectioned for her own safety as she is a risk of self-harm.”

A further hearing was fixed for September this year by Judge Lord Arthurson.

A trial had previously been arranged for March next year.