Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge
Lee Milne Sentenced for Role in Wife’s Death After Abusive Relationship
Lee Milne, 40, received an eight-year prison sentence for his part in the death of his wife, Kimberly Milne, 28, who died after jumping from a motorway bridge in Dundee in July 2023. The case marked the first prosecution in Scotland where a husband was convicted for enabling his partner’s suicide through prolonged abuse.
Domestic Abuse and Legal Charges
Kimberly’s death followed a series of violent incidents over 18 months, culminating in her being struck by multiple vehicles on the A90. Milne was found guilty of culpable homicide and domestic abuse charges, despite her taking the final action to end her life. Police noted her “clearly terrified” state, emphasizing her decision to jump was a desperate attempt to escape him.
“Kimberly was in a state of fear, and her death was the result of her taking a course of action to get away from him,” stated the police.
Incidents of Abuse
The trial revealed a pattern of emotional and physical violence, including choking, hair-pulling, and head injuries. One notable event occurred in early 2022 when Milne choked Kimberly during an argument. She recounted to police that he had accessed her phone, seen messages from other men, and become enraged, shouting and swearing at her.
“Lee went through my phone, saw messages from other men before we were together, and got angry,” Kimberly said in a police statement.
Months later, Milne yanked her by the hair, forcing her to the ground, then later apologized, claiming he was “not that type of guy.” In late 2022, she discovered he had allegedly been cheating, which led to a violent confrontation where he hit her on the head, causing her to lose consciousness.
Witness Accounts and CCTV Evidence
A witness described seeing Kimberly and another woman arguing at a Dundee retail park. The woman was later observed cowering against a wall as Milne approached, appearing trapped. CCTV footage captured her fear, showing her trailing behind him as he drove toward her, shaking her head before jumping off the bridge.
“She was seeming too frightened to respond,” the witness told the court.
Kimberly’s mother, Lynne Bruce, shared a harrowing account of her daughter’s final moments. She described Milne arriving at their home the morning after the death, claiming Kimberly had crashed the car and chased her to the bridge.
“He said Kim had pulled the steering wheel and crashed the car. Then he said she went up to the bridge and he chased her. He tried to grab her hands, she looked up, shook her head, and jumped,” Lynne Bruce stated.
Context and Broader Implications
Det Chf Insp Craig Kelly highlighted Milne’s behavior as that of a “violent bully” who exerted coercive control. He noted the cumulative effect of witness testimonies and video evidence, which painted a grim picture of domestic abuse. Milne’s lack of accountability was a key factor in the verdict.
Milne’s conviction is significant as it sets a precedent in Scotland for holding abusers accountable even when victims take their own lives. Similar cases, like that of Nicholas Allen in England, had already seen convictions for manslaug, but this is the first of its kind in Scotland.
