A WOMAN appeared to be "all happy" after she allegedly stabbed and murdered a man in Erskine, a court heard today.

Stephanie Bowie, 29, is accused of killing 21-year-old Darren Russell near the Grill in the Park Bar and Restaurant on New Year's Day 2021.

She denies the charge and is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Jurors today heard recorded evidence from Darren's best friend, Craig Smith.

The men had been with others in the grounds of Barsail Primary School, in Erskine, on January 1 last year.

This included 19-year-old Mark Bowie, who is the brother of the murder accused.

Mr Smith, 23, said he had been aware of a "petty argument" that had taken place between Darren and Mark Bowie.

He also told how Stephanie Bowie arrived at the scene and "whipped out" a knife but he initially believed she wouldn't use the weapon, as there were CCTV cameras in the area.

Mr Smith told prosecutor Lorraine Glancy he tried to defuse matters.

Miss Glancy asked: "Who were you trying to calm down?"

He replied: "Stephanie. I was just trying to nullify the situation. I did not know why she was trying to go for my friend. I was trying to get Mark to calm his sister down.

"Me and Mark had a kind of discussion, argument...as I turned round, he (Darren) just fell to the deck and she has come skipping past, all happy."

Mr Smith admitted he did not see his friend being struck.

The court also heard from Alan Anderson, who was a friend of both Darren and Mark Bowie and was part of the group at the school that day.

In a police statement, he said Mark had called his sister before the alleged murder and that Mark had handed Darren the phone during that call.

Mr Anderson, 23, told the trial that Stephanie Bowie showed up and shouted: "Don't get wide with my brother."

He recalled Darren going around the front of the school, followed by the Bowies.

Miss Glancy asked: "What were you aware of next?"

He replied: "They came back round and she had a blade in her hand. She said 'He has just been done'."

Mr Anderson said there was blood on the blade.

The murder charge states that Stephanie Bowie repeatedly hit Darren on the body with a knife.

Prosecutors allege that, before this, Darren was assaulted by both Bowies.

Stephanie Bowie is further accused of threatening Mr Smith with a knife and of having a blade.

There are separate charges against both Bowies of attempting to defeat the ends of justice after the alleged murder.

Stephanie Bowie is then said to have been on bail when it is alleged she and Gary Howieson, 32, attacked Paul Sowerby at a house in East Kilbride on February 10 last year, to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

She is separately accused of assaulting Alana McIlroy on the same date and at the same place but denies all of these charges.

Howieson and Mark Bowie have pled not guilty to the charges against them.

The trial, before judge Lord Weir, continues.