Simone Ramage, 41, has avoided jail after shooting her partner Brian Kowbel dead with an air rifle at their home in Galashiels. She was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 7, 2026, receiving a three-year supervision and treatment order.
Court sentencing and judge's remarks
Judge John Morris KC told Ramage he was satisfied the non-custodial sentence was “the most suitable means of dealing with [her]”. He said she would have to comply with treatment aimed at improving her health. When asked how she was getting on with her current doctor, Ramage replied: “Good.”
The judge warned that the order may be revoked and she will be back in court if she does not comply with the supervision and treatment order.
Details of the killing and legal proceedings
Ramage shot Mr Kowbel on February 17, 2023, at their home in Galashiels, leaving him so severely injured that he later died at Borders General Hospital in Melrose. She reportedly told police and paramedics that she instead discharged “an airsoft pistol” at Mr Kowbel, claiming she did “culpably and recklessly” fire the weapon towards a fence bordering a car park.
Judge Morris found Ramage responsible for the killing earlier this year, following an examination of facts hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh. He also found her to have been in possession of an air rifle without holding the relevant firearm certificate. This came after Judge Susan Craig deemed Ramage unfit to stand trial at a hearing in March last year.
Defence statements and next steps
At the hearing, Ramage's defence counsel, Mark Stewart KC, said he was awaiting a written report from a psychologist, but the medic had provided a verbal report that she was “clearly unfit” to stand trial due to having PTSD and needing long-term psychological treatment. He added: “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.
An examination of facts takes the place of a trial when someone is considered unfit to stand trial due to a mental disorder. Ramage’s final disposal had been due to be heard in Edinburgh last month but was deferred to allow for the completion of a pre-sentencing social work report.
