Alleged killer thought murder victim was trying to set him up, court told

An ex-head gamekeeper suspected the man he allegedly murdered of "foul play" and felt he tried to "set him up" after dead birds were found on the estate, jurors have heard.Prosecutors have claimed David Campbell, 77, gunned down retired groundsman Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, in February 2024. Campbell 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.Campbell suspected Mr Low "planted" items in his house that was raided by officials investigating alleged wildlife crimes, a court was told. Image: David Campbell is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Pic:iStock The High Court in Glasgow has already heard how the pair had previously worked together at Edradynate Estate in Perthshire. On Thursday, Detective Constable Scott Leslie read out a statement given in April 2024 by Michael Campbell, the owner of the estate who later died in September 2025.Mr Campbell, who is not related to the accused, described both men as good workers. He said Campbell was "very dedicated to his job", ran the commercial shoots on the estate "very well", and would only take holidays when he was "forced to do so" by his wife Elizabeth, who was known as Betty.Mr Campbell additionally described Mr Low as a "thoroughly decent chap" and said he was "absolutely staggered" to learn of his murder. Mr Low's death was initially thought to be "medical-related", but a post-mortem examination held days later revealed he had suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and chest. Image: A general view of the area where Brian Low's body was discovered. Pic: PA Jurors heard how there had been repeated instances of bird of prey poisonings on the estate and fingers were pointed at Campbell.Mr Campbell stated that he warned his head gamekeeper to "abide by the law" but did not believe he was behind the incidents.Read more from the trial:Man accused of shotgun murder 'loathed victim'The court heard "black powder" was recovered during a police and RSPB raid on Campbell's home on a date before 2010 and he was subsequently locked up for "28 hours" before being released.In his statement, Mr Campbell said the "black powder" belonged to him, adding that Campbell was "aggrieved" by the raid and later implied that Mr Low had "planted stuff in his house" as items that were returned reportedly did not belong to him.Crown witnesses Andrew Kennedy, 69, and Kerry Colvin, 59, also testified that Campbell had shared his suspicions with them.Local farmer Mr Kennedy said in his police statement: "I am aware that David suspected Brian of foul play on the estate, and he thought that Brian was trying to set him up."Ms Colvin, whose mother owned a cottage on the estate, said Campbell was angry that police removed his grandchildren's coats and was convinced Mr Low had "planted" something.Mr Campbell said the accused "didn't take criticism very well", adding "things started to get less pleasant" ahead of Campbell's retirement.Mr Campbell said: "I would say that David leaving was not on good terms." The court was also shown a formal written warning sent to Mr Low in May 2011 for speaking poorly of Campbell and his wife.In Mr Campbell's letter, it was noted that Mr Low had confessed to saying "some extremely unpleasant things about both David and Betty to people not employed on the estate".Mr Low was said to have apologised to the couple.Mr Campbell praised the groundsman's high standard of work, but wrote: "It seems such a shame therefore that you have so seriously prejudiced your position by indulging in such cruel gossip and expression of antipathy towards David and Betty."Mr Low was warned he would be dismissed if something similar happened again. Image: Police at the Pitilie Track. Pic: PA 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.In a joint minute of agreed facts between the prosecution and defence, jurors heard how Mr Low's body was discovered by witness Kevin Timoney at about 8.30am.Mr Timoney was said to often bump into the alleged victim while out walking his dogs and would stop to chat.Crown junior Alan Innes told the court that Mr Low's dog approached Mr Timoney on the track while out on his walk.Mr Innes said: "At Leafy Lane, near to the Pitilie Track, Aberfeldy, he saw a person then unknown to him lying on the ground."He shouted to ask if the person was ok. He approached the person and identified them as James Brian Low."The deceased had blood on him, was unresponsive and cold and stiff to the touch."Mr Timoney placed his jacket over Mr Low and ran to nearby houses to seek help.After urging a woman to alert the police, he dropped his dog off and collected a blanket and his car from his house.He picked up Crown witness Jamie Cairncross en route and returned to Mr Low, where he covered him with the blanket and waited for emergency services to arrive.Two 999 calls were made - one to Police Scotland and the second to the Scottish Ambulance Service.Mr Low's iPhone was discovered in his pocket. It was analysed and "no movement data" was logged on the device between 4.52pm on 16 February and 11.26am on 17 February 2024.The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.

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