iStockThree people have gone on trial charged with the murder of a woman.
Jason Bell, 51, his then-partner Michelle Ramage, 43, and Ryan Hill, 27, allegedly attacked Susan Turner, 41, on March 25 and 26 in 2023.
Among the claims are that Ms Turner was punched, kicked, had her hair pulled out and was struck with various objects.
The alleged murder is said to have occurred at Bell’s home in Nursery Hall in Ayr.
Ms Turner lived near to him at the time.
The trio have gone on trial at the High Court in Glasgow before judge Lord Mulholland.
Bell’s younger brother gave evidence.
The 46-year-old had briefly been staying with his sibling around the time of the incident.
He told how Bell was seeing Ramage in March 2023. Jurors heard how Ms Turner would visit two to three times a day when the witness was there.
Prosecutor Chris McKenna asked Mr Bell if Ramage had been aware of Ms Turner also being in contact with his brother by text.
Mr Bell initially recalled one message. It was said to have been sent by Ms Turner to Bell.
Mr McKenna asked: “How did Michelle react?”
The witness replied: “I do not think she liked it. She was not happy. You could see it in her face.”
Mr McKenna went on to refer to a statement the brother had given to police.
In it, the witness is said to have told officers Ms Turner had “constantly” been texting his brother.
He added: “Michelle…you could see was getting annoyed. She was becoming jealous – that was obvious.”
The witness said possibly on March 24, 2023, Ramage had then spoken to Ms Turner about it and swore at her.
The court also heard how the witness had gone to another man’s home prior to the alleged murder.
He was there about 1am on March 26, 2023 when his sibling then chapped on the door and window.
In another police statement, he claimed his brother was “a nervous wreck”.
Bell was said to have stated “they are going to end up murdering her” or “they are going to end up doing away with her”.
In court, the witness told jurors he did not believe his sibling made any remark about “murder”.
He recalled telling his brother to go back to his flat.
Police later turned up at the property. By this time, Bell was sitting outside.
Officers had to force entry to the dimly lit flat.
Sergeant Craig McLachlan recalled “the very strong smell of blood” in the air.
They went on to find “a visibly deceased female” with injuries lying on the floor.
A police sergeant went on to speak to Bell about the woman inside.
Prosecutor Mr McKenna asked: “Did you ask him who that could be?”
The officer replied: “Yes – from what I recall, he did state that he did not know.”
A “cold” Bell then asked the police if they could get him a pair of jogging bottoms.
The officer said: “I said ‘no’. He was shaking while speaking to me. He was looking at the ground, unable to make eye contact.
“That was raising my concerns. He appeared sober and steady on his feet.”
The trial continues.
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