Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge
Man Jailed for Killing Wife Who Jumped from Bridge
A 40-year-old man has received an eight-year prison sentence for the death of his wife, Kimberly Milne, 28, who died after jumping from a motorway bridge in Dundee in July 2023. The incident involved her being struck by multiple vehicles on the A90, marking the first time Scotland prosecuted a case where a partner was held accountable for a suicide linked to domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse and Culpable Homicide Charges
Lee Milne was convicted of culpable homicide and domestic abuse following a trial that highlighted a pattern of violence. Prosecutors revealed that Kimberly endured severe abuse from her husband over 18 months, including incidents such as being choked in early 2022. During a conversation with police before her death, she recounted how Milne accessed her phone, discovered messages from other men, and became enraged, shouting at her.
“Lee and I were in his home and he went through my phone. He saw messages from other men before we were together. He got angry and started to shout and swear at me.”
Other assaults included Milne pulling her by the hair and dragging her to the ground, followed by apologies he claimed were genuine. By late 2022, Kimberly had learned of his alleged infidelity, leading to a violent incident where he hit her, causing her to fall and lose consciousness. The trial also featured testimony from a witness who observed her arguing with Milne on the night of her death, later seeing him corner her at a retail park.
Testimony and Evidence
According to the witness, Kimberly appeared “cowering and scared,” unable to defend herself. CCTV footage showed her trailing behind Milne as he drove toward her, hiding behind a wall. A statement from Kimberly’s mother, Lynne Bruce, described Milne arriving at her home the morning after her daughter’s death, claiming Kimberly had crashed the car and jumped to her death.
“I was woken up by Lee at my door. He said something like Kim has gone. He came in and said she had pulled the steering wheel, crashed the car, then gone to the bridge and he chased her. She looked up at him, shook her head, and jumped.”
Det Chf Insp Craig Kelly, who led the investigation, praised the conviction, stating Milne was a “violent bully” who exerted emotional and physical control over Kimberly. Witnesses described his aggression, emphasizing her fear of him. The prosecution argued that Milne’s behavior directly contributed to her death, despite her taking her own life.
Scotland’s First Criminal Prosecution for Domestic Abuse-Linked Suicide
The case set a precedent in Scotland, as Milne was convicted even though Kimberly died by her own hand. While similar cases have occurred in English courts, this marked a significant milestone in Scottish law. Nicholas Allen, for instance, was jailed in 2017 for manslaughter after his ex-girlfriend died by suicide due to his controlling behavior. In 2018, Steven Gane was convicted of “driving his partner to suicide” through abuse, though an inquest later confirmed his role in her unlawful death.
COPFS legal director Laura Buchan noted the case addressed a critical legal question: “Can a partner be held criminally responsible for a death caused by their victim’s self-harm after prolonged abuse?” The prosecution succeeded in proving Milne’s physical and psychological coercion, establishing his culpability in the tragic outcome.
