Stephanie Bowie jailed for life after stabbing Darren Russell to death on New Year's Day in Erskine

A woman who stabbed a man to death during a New Year’s Day attack has been jailed for life.

Stephanie Bowie knifed Darren Russell twice in the chest in Erskine, Renfrewshire, on January 1, 2021, before he died on the doorstep of his family home.

On Thursday at the High Court in Stirling, Bowie was jailed for a minimum of 16 years.

The attack occurred after Bowie, 29, confronted Russell, 21, after her brother shared a minor argument with him.

Following his death, Bowie denied murder and claimed she “accidentally” stabbed the victim when she brought out the blade to “scare” him.

However, jurors found her guilty of murder, possession of a bladed article and an attempt to defeat the ends of justice on Thursday, June 9 following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Passing sentence, Lord Armstrong told Bowie that she showed “limited remorse” and said no sentence of the court could “alleviate the pain” that her actions caused.

He said: “On New Years’ Day 2021, in parkland near the Grill in the Park Restaurant in Erskine, you stabbed Darren Russell twice in the chest with a kitchen knife, as a direct result of which Mr Russell died a short time later.

“The jury, having heard evidence about the circumstances in which you inflicted those stab wounds, convicted you of murder.

“You told the social workers who prepared the Criminal Justice Social Work Report that, at the time of the offence, you were under the influence of both drink and drugs.

“As you know, that affords no defence to your actions, nor does it in any way excuse them.

“Indeed, whatever dispute or disagreement may have been behind your decision to do so, the evidence revealed that you travelled from Paisley to Erskine by taxi, armed with a knife which you were prepared to use to inflict lethal violence on your victim.

“At the time of his death Darren Russell was 21 years of age.

“I have read the victim statement from his family which is eloquent of the devastating loss which they have suffered, and for which you have shown limited remorse.

“No sentence of this court can truly alleviate the pain they continue to bear from that loss.”

Chief Inspector Christopher Nisbet, senior investigating officer, said: “Stephanie Bowie is now facing the consequences of her actions.

“I hope this sentence sends a clear message that violence and the carrying of weapons is completely unacceptable.

“Although it can’t change what has happened, I hope that this sentence brings at least a degree of closure for Darren’s family and friends.

“Our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time.

“Police Scotland are committed to bringing perpetrators to justice and we will continue to work closely with our partners to do so.”