Woman found guilty of murder after stabbing man to death in New Year's Day attack

A woman who stabbed a man to death during a New Year’s Day attack has been convicted of murder.

Stephanie Bowie knifed Darren Russell twice in the chest in Erskine, Renfrewshire, on January 1, 2021, before he died on the doorstep of his family home.

Bowie, 29, confronted the 21-year-old after her brother, Mark Bowie, shared a minor argument with him.

Following his death, Bowie denied murder and claimed she “accidentally” stabbed the victim when she brought out the blade to “scare” him.

However, jurors found her guilty on Thursday afternoon following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

She was convicted of murder, possession of a bladed article and an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

Judge Lord Weir told Bowie, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, she had committed a “deplorable act of lethal violence”.

The trial heard how the killing took place close to the Grill in the Park Bar and Restaurant in Erskine on the morning of January 1 last year.

Mr Russell and others had earlier been in the grounds of nearby Barsail Primary School.

It was there the two men later got into an argument.

Bowie then jumped a taxi from Paisley to Erskine after learning of the row.

Intent on violence, the killer had grabbed a knife before getting into the cab.

She turned up at the school and immediately threatened Mr Russell.

This included her screaming: “I am going to f****** kill you.”

Describing what happened, a friend of Mr Russell said: “I did not know why she was going for my friend.

“I was trying to get Mark to calm down his sister.

“Me and Mark had a kind of discussion…as I turned, he (Darren) just fell to the deck and she has come skipping past, all happy.”

The friend helped Mr Russell back to the home he shared with his parents nearby, but he never survived.

Bowie admitted she had killed Mr Russell – but had not meant it.

This was despite the blows being deep into the victim’s body.

She claimed Mr Russell was standing over her, she “panicked” and brought out the knife hidden up her sleeve.

Bowie said she ditched the knife and her blood-stained jacket. She also altered her hairstyle to try and avoid being caught.

After the verdict, the court was told Bowie had a number of previous convictions including for threatening behaviour and breaching bail.

Lord Weir deferred sentencing until July 7 in Stirling.

Chief inspector Christopher Nisbet, senior investigating officer, said: “This was a brutal attack that has left Darren’s family absolutely devastated and our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time.

“We hope that this conviction brings at least a degree of closure for his relatives and friends.

“I would like to thank responding officers, the investigative team and our partners at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for all their hard work on this case to get justice for Darren.

“I would also like to thank members of the local community who came forward with vital pieces of information that assisted with our inquiry.

“Violence and the carrying of weapons is completely unacceptable.

“We know it has a devastating and significant impact on individuals, families and communities.

“We will continue to work closely with partners and remain determined to bring perpetrators to justice.”