Wife blows kiss to murder accused before giving evidence

The wife of former gamekeeper David Campbell has told a trial she was not aware of any grievances her husband had with the man he is accused of murdering.

Betty Campbell, who blew a kiss to her husband as she entered the witness box, said she did not recall a problem between him and Brian Low, despite previously telling police there were "one or two" issues when they worked together.

Campbell, who worked with Low on the Edradynate Estate in Aberfeldy, is accused of killing the 65-year-old on a footpath in Leafy Lane, Aberfeldy, on 16 February, 2024.

Campbell, 77, denies murdering Low by shooting him and has lodged a special defence of alibi.

Betty Campbell, 77, who the court heard had been married to Campbell for 57 years, gave evidence on the seventh day of the trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

She told the court that she also knew Low from Edradynate, as she had previously worked in the "big house" on the estate.

Asked how she got on with him, Betty Campbell said their jobs "did not coincide in any way".

She then said the work of the two men was also separate and that Campbell only needed "help" from Low with a tractor.

Prosecutor Greg Farrell asked her if there had been any grievances between her husband and Low.

She replied: "No, as far as I know."

Farrell asked if she said anything different in a statement to police.

The witness replied: "I do not think so, no."

Farrell then read out part of her statement made to police officers in late February 2024.

This included a claim that they "did not interact over the years" and that she had "no feelings for or against the guy".

She was then said to have stated: "There were one or two grievances between Brian and Dave at the Edradynate, but I do not want to comment as I do not have a clue what they were about or if I did, I have forgotten."

In court, the witness added that she did "not particularly" remember these apparent issues.

Farrell asked: "Why say that in your statement?"

She replied: "I left Edradynate nine or 10 years ago, I have moved on.

"I cannot be asked to remember grievances that I had nothing to do with."

The advocate depute asked: "I am asking you as you stand here on oath if you remember were there any grievances on the Edradynate between Brian and David?"

Campbell replied that she did not remember and "cannot explain" why that was in her statement.

She was also questioned on her knowledge of the surrounding area where Brian Low's body had been found.

She said she had been running there with a couple of colleagues when they worked at a swimming pool.

Campbell told jurors she had also gone there a number of times on her electric bicycle in late 2023 and early 2024.

She said she went out on her e-bike to "become more proficient".

As well as the murder charge, David Campbell faces a separate accusation of getting two tyres changed on an electronic cycle he allegedly used.

Farrell asked the witness: "You know that there is an issue with that area and that bike, do you not?

"Soil sample analysis that connects your bike to that area."

She replied: "No."

The advocate depute said: "Quite sure about that?"

She replied: "I am on oath here. I have already told you that I was up there on my bike. Why would I lie?"

Farrell said: "You might lie to protect your husband?"

She replied: "I took an oath, I believe in God and I am telling the truth."

The advocate depute referred back to the statement she made in May 2024.

This includes a claim from her that the bike had not been used "as far as I know" that year.

Asked why what she was saying in court was different, Campbell said she had been "under pressure" by the police.

Under cross examination, Campbell's KC Tony Lenehan asked her: "These last two years have not been pleasant years... tumultuous."

Appearing emotional, she replied: "Yes."

David Campbell, from Aberfeldy, is accused of murdering Low, having previously shown ill-will and malice toward him.

He is alleged to have disabled CCTV cameras at an address in Aberfeldy on the same day, in an attempt to conceal his whereabouts.

He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of the alleged murder weapon and an airgun, and having replacement tyres fitted on an electric bike between February and May 2024.

Campbell is further accused of possessing an air rifle without a licence and discharging it on various occasions, and faces five charges of breach of the peace dating back to July 1995.

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

Campbell's legal team has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the murder accusation.

They say Campbell was not in Leafy Lane, where the body was found, at the time of the killing and was instead at home in Aberfeldy.

Campbell denies all the charges.

The trial before Lord Scott continues.