Jail for Gamekeeper's Brutal Execution

David Campbell, a 77-year-old former gamekeeper, will spend his remaining years in prison for the calculated murder of Brian Low, his former colleague. Campbell harbored a deep-seated bitterness, stemming from a past grievance, which motivated him to stalk and shoot Mr. Low in a "brazen and brutal execution."

Campbell meticulously planned the crime on February 16, 2024, disabling his own security systems and using his wife's e-bike to approach the secluded track where Mr. Low regularly walked his dog. Despite Campbell's efforts to conceal his actions, a significant amount of circumstantial evidence, including soil analysis linking the e-bike to the scene and phone data showing a period of inactivity, proved crucial in his conviction.

The initial police response to the discovery of Mr. Low's body was significantly criticized. First responders failed to identify the fatal gunshot wounds, initially classifying the death as non-suspicious due to a fall. This oversight led to the crime scene remaining unsealed, potentially compromising vital forensic evidence.

Despite the flawed initial investigation, prosecutors successfully presented enough compelling evidence to a jury at the High Court in Glasgow to secure a majority verdict for murder. The conviction brings a sense of closure to the community, which rarely experiences violent crime, and to the devastated family of Brian Low.