Court hears woman accused of shooting partner dead 'unfit to stand trial'
Last updated 10th Jul 2025
A woman accused of killing her partner, by shooting him with an air rifle at the home they shared in Galashiels, may not be fit to stand trial, the High Court in Glasgow heard today (Thursday).
Forty-year-old Simone Ramage continues to deny a charge of culpable homicide following the death of Brian Kowbel, also aged 40, at an address in the town's Chris Paterson Place on February 17th, 2023.
It's alleged she discharged an air rifle at him and shot him on the body whereby he was so severely injured that he later died at Borders General Hospital.
Ramage is also charged with concealing the weapon under a sofa at the property and informing police and paramedics that she had discharged an airsoft pistol at him, with intent to pervert the course of justice.
It's also alleged she culpably and recklessly discharged the firearm towards a fence, bordering a car park on the same date.
In addition, Ramage is further accused of possessing an air rifle without a firearms certificate, at her home and elsewhere, between April 1st, 2022 and February 17th, 2023.
READ MORE: Hawick man caught with cocaine worth around £160,000 in Tweedbank avoids prison
Ramage, who continues to deny all the charges against her, did not appear at today's virtual hearing.
Her defence counsel Mark Stewart KC told the court he's 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 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.
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news