Man 'insisted e-bike tyres needed to be changed' day after alleged shooting

A man wanted tyres changed on an e-bike the day after a murder suspect allegedly used one during the killing of a man.

The individual had gone to the shop in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, around 30 miles from where retired groundsman Brian Low had been shot dead.

The man was told the tyres did not need replaced, but he was said to have insisted they were as his wife required the bike to go riding in the forest the following weekend.

The evidence was heard at the trial of David Campbell at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.

The former head gamekeeper is accused of murdering Brian Low, 65, at the Leafy Lane near to the Pitilie Track close to Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross on February 16, 2024.

The 77-year-old denies the accusation and has lodged a special defence of alibi.

He faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

This includes a claim that he attended at Crighton’s Cycles in Blairgowrie to have two replacement tyres fitted on an electronic bike allegedly used by him in the killing of Mr Low.

A woman who runs the shop, as well as a cycling tour business along with her husband, gave evidence on Tuesday.

She recalled how a stocky man with a “weather-beaten face” came in on the morning of February 17, 2024, asking about changing tyres on a bike that he had.

Prosecutor Greg Farrell asked the 57-year-old witness: “Did he explain why?”

She replied: “He explained that it was his wife’s bike and that she was going out the next weekend to the forest. He wanted it done within the week.”

She believed the tyres already on the bike were “okay” and “suitable” for that type of cycling.

Mr Farrell asked: “Did you say that they would do what his wife wanted?”

The woman replied: “Yes.”

The advocate depute said: “They were not worn or damaged?”

She replied: “No. He asked me if could get something that was slightly wider.”

The witness’ husband, who had been away on holiday with their son when the man visited that morning, carried out the work on the bike later that week on his return.

The person then came to collect it and was also given the old tyres back as they were considered “best” for that type of bike.

Jurors later heard from a friend of Campbell, who had been in his company on the day of the alleged murder.

The man knew the ex-gamekeeper from attending local bowling clubs together.

The pair had been working on repairing a wooden bridge wrecked by Storm Babet.

Asked how he was that day, the witness said: “The same David Campbell I have always known.”

The witness confirmed that he “did not seem out of the ordinary”.

He went on to state to Campbell’s KC Tony Lenehan that his friend was someone who “did not like people who did not play by the rules”.

He said that even at bowls, Campbell was a person who “wanted to win fair”.

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.