Abusive husband jailed for killing wife who jumped off bridge to escape him

An abusive husband whose wife jumped to her death from a road bridge has been jailed for eight years for causing her death in a landmark case.

Lee Milne, 40, subjected his wife Kimberley, 28, to a horrific campaign of domestic abuse lasting 18 months, including punching and spitting at her.

Kimberley died after falling from an overpass on to the A90 in Dundee where she was hit by several vehicles on July 27, 2023.

Milne was convicted of culpable homicide, having been found legally responsible for her death, in the first case of its kind in Scotland.

Prosecutor Laura Buchan, legal director at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Servicesaid: ‘This prosecution sought to answer a complex question – can a partner be held criminally responsible for the death of a victim who has taken their own life following a course of domestic abuse?  

‘Lee Milne physically and psychologically abused Kimberly Bruce and our evidence showed that this abuse was a significant contributing factor in her death.

‘He deliberately and ruthlessly exploited Kimberly’s vulnerabilities which makes him culpable for her decision to end her own life.  

‘His coercive and controlling behaviour escalated throughout the relationship. On the night that Kimberly died, his abuse was carried out in full public view.

‘Our prosecution demonstrated how women can become trapped in relationships in webs created by an abuser. 

‘Today we are thinking of the family and friends of Kimberly who have suffered such a terrible loss and unimaginable trauma.’

In the hours leading up to his wife’s death, Milne had been acting aggressively and intimidating towards her.

This included driving erratically when she was in a car with him, shouting at her and seizing hold of her, leaving her terrified.

He was also found guilty of several domestic abuse offences committed against Kimberley between January 2022 and July 2023.

These included physically and verbally abusing her, coercing her to move in with him and marry him, attempting to cut off her contact with friends and family, and controlling her finances.

On one occasion in November 2022 Milne got angry when she asked to be taken home and hit her, causing her to fall and hit her head on a wall, knocking her unconscious.

In May the following year, Milne grabbed her by the throat when she asked to be taken home, and choked her and shouted at her, causing her to run to another room and barricade herself in with a table.

After forcing himself in he repeatedly punched and bit her and threatened to hit her with a mirror that he then threw against a wall.

Following his conviction, Detective Chief Inspector Craig Kelly said: ‘Our thoughts are with Kimberly’s family and friends following this verdict. They have dealt with her tragic loss with great dignity and hopefully this outcome will provide a degree of closure.

‘This was an extremely complex investigation and involved very close work with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to ensure that Lee Milne has been held accountable for causing the death of Kimberly.

‘Our investigation found that his behaviour in the time leading up to Kimberly’s death was truly shocking and placed his partner in such fear that she took a course of action to get away from him which led to her death.

‘She was very clearly terrified of him on that night. It is a tragedy that she lost her life as a consequence.

‘Our investigation also uncovered a series of domestic offences against Kimberly over an extended period of time, exposing him as a cruel, manipulative and violent man.

‘Our officers are determined to ensure women and girls live free from violence and abuse. We are relentless in our focus on tackling domestic abuse. It will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held accountable.’

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