Former head gamekeeper on trial accused of shotgun murder of retired groundsman Brian Low

A man accused of the shotgun murder of a retired groundsman 'loathed' the alleged victim, a court has heard.

Prosecutors allege ex-head gamekeeper David Campbell, 77, gunned down Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, in February 2024.

Campbell is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, and has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the murder accusation - claiming he was at home at the time of the alleged shooting.

The alleged murder is said to have taken place at Leafy Lane, near to the Pitilie track.

Mr Low was pronounced dead at 9am on 17 February 2024 by a paramedic.

Six days later, on 23 February 2024, a post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.

Jurors heard how Campbell worked as the head gamekeeper at Edradynate Estate in Perthshire between May 1984 and February 2018.

Mr Low worked at the same estate as a groundsman between August 2000 and February 2023.

Local farmer Sally Crystal told Advocate Depute Greg Farrell how she was friends with both men and helped out at Edradynate Estate during shooting season.

She told jurors the pair appeared to get along at first, but then noted: "At first it wasn't noticeable, but as time went on there was a coldness."

Ms Crystal told of one alleged incident where after talking with Mr Low, Campbell reportedly stated: "I cannot stand that man. I loathe him.

"I cannot understand why you like him."

Ms Crystal then spoke of a second alleged conversation, where Campbell reportedly said of Mr Low: "I f****** loathe that man. I hate him."

Ms Crystal spoke highly of Mr Low, describing him as a "gentle" man.

She also agreed that Campbell, who she described as having a "very good shot", was "highly respected", took his job seriously and helped ensure the estate was a commercial success.

Campbell is accused of previously showing "malice and ill-will" towards Mr Low, and is alleged to have discharged a shotgun at him, leaving him so severely hurt that he died at the scene.

Prosecutors allege he earlier disabled CCTV cameras at Tigh Na Caorann in Aberfeldy's Crieff Road in an attempt to conceal his whereabouts.

He is further accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice between 16 February and 24 May 2024 by disposing of the alleged murder weapon and gun bag, disposing of a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun, having replacement tyres fitted on an electric bike reportedly used during the shooting and dumping a box, a cartridge bag and bicycle tyres at Aberfeldy Recycling Centre or elsewhere.

Campbell additionally faces five separate breach of the peace charges spanning between July 1995 and September 2012.

He is said to have acted in a disorderly manner, putting four men and two women in a "state of fear and alarm".

This includes claims that he threatened to shoot three of the men, as well as one of the women and her family.

One of the complainers, retired police officer Alan Stewart, told the court that he became acquainted with Campbell due to the accused's work as a gamekeeper, and his own role in investigating wildlife crime.

Mr Stewart, who went on to become a civilian wildlife crime coordinator following his time in the force, accepted prosecutor Mr Farrell's submission that there was "tension" between the pair due to their jobs.

At Scone Palace's game fair in the summer of 1995, Mr Stewart claimed he was off-duty when he passed Campbell at the outdoor event.

The accused was said to have stated: "It's great what vermin you see when you haven't got a gun."

Mr Stewart added: "It wasn't said as a joke. It was said with venom."

He said that he was used to getting "threats" due to his line of work so it "didn't bother" him as much, but upset his wife and granddaughter.

During questioning from defence lawyer Tony Lenehan KC, Mr Stewart agreed that Campbell would not have been the only gamekeeper in the region not "on his Christmas card list".

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Campbell is further accused of possessing a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun between May 2017 and February 2024 without the relevant certificate, and discharging it on various occasions.

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.

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