WOMAN TOLD POLICE SHE SHOT HER PARTNER WITH AIR GUN IN FRONT OF CHILDREN
A court has heard a woman told police officers she had shot her partner with an air gun in front of three of his children at home in Galashiels.
Brian Kowbel, 40, died in hospital from a metal pellet to his heart in February 2023.
Simone Ramage, 40, has been deemed unfit to stand trial for health reasons.
The evidence emerged on the first day of the examination of facts, which is held when a person is deemed unfit for trial.
In a recorded interview played in court, Kowbel’s daughter told officers Ramage had been shooting targets out their lounge doors while she and two of his other children were inside eating pizza.
They had all been laughing and joking and she said Ramage had an idea to scare her father.
The gun went off as he came out the kitchen and his daughter said they thought he had been hit in the arm – but he had been shot in the chest.
“I don’t blame her,” she said.
“She’s going to be blaming herself.
It was an accident.
We want her to know she’s not to blame.” A judge found Ramage unfit to stand trial after a hearing earlier this year after it was concluded the accused was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The finding could not be reported until today due to legal reasons.
Sheriff John Morris KC is presiding over the examination of facts, which is heard without a jury.
He will hear evidence about the circumstances surrounding the death and determine whether Ramage – whose attendance was excused – was responsible for causing Kowbel to lose his life.
In the video recording of Kowbel’s daughter speaking to investigators she said she thought Ramage had wanted to “give him a fright” and had meant to “shoot past him”.
After he was hit, the court heard Ramage dialled 999 and performed CPR while covered in blood.
Report published 15 September 2026 — Simone Ramage: Sentencing delayed for woman who killed partner with air rifle Ramage shot her partner, Brian Kowbel, with an air rifle at their home in Galashiels on February 17, 2023.
She was found responsible for the killing following an examination of facts hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh.
She was in possession of an air rifle without a firearm certificate.
Ramage was deemed unfit to stand trial in March 2023 due to mental health issues.
The sentencing, originally scheduled for September 15, 2026, has been deferred until October 7, 2026, to allow for a social work report.
Report published 7 October 2026 — Simone Ramage: Galashiels woman sentenced after killing partner with air rifle Ramage shot her partner, Brian Kowbel, on February 17, 2023, at their home in Galashiels, resulting in his death.
She was found responsible for the killing following an examination of facts hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh.
She was in possession of an air rifle without a firearm certificate.
The court sentenced her to a three-year supervision and treatment order, with the final disposal deferred for a pre-sentencing social work report.
She was deemed unfit to stand trial earlier due to mental health issues, consistent with previous findings.
