Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge

Man Convicted of Killing Wife After Her Suicide by Bridge Jump

Lee Milne, 40, received an eight-year prison sentence for the death of his wife Kimberly Milne, 28, who succumbed after being hit by multiple vehicles on the A90 motorway in Dundee in July 2023. The prosecution argued that Milne was culpable for her demise, despite her taking her own life, marking the first such case in Scotland.

A History of Abuse

The court was informed that Kimberly had faced severe abuse from Milne over 18 months prior to her death. The relationship began in late 2021, and they married in September 2022. Abuse escalated rapidly, with incidents such as choking her in early 2022 and pulling her hair to the ground months later, followed by Milne’s attempts to apologize, claiming he was “not that type of guy.”

Testimony and Evidence

Before her death, Kimberly told police:

“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 shouting at me.”

On the night of her death, a witness reported seeing her argue with a man and woman at Kingsway Retail Park. Later, the woman was observed being pinned against a wall by the man, appearing “cowering” and “scared.”

CCTV and Final Moments

CCTV footage from the trial depicted Kimberly retreating from Milne as he approached, her body trailing behind him while he drove forward. Her mother, Lynne Bruce, 54, described the aftermath, stating:

“I was woken by Lee at my door. He said Kim had pulled the steering wheel and crashed the car. Then he chased her to the bridge, grabbed her hands, and she shook her head before jumping.”

Legal Significance

Det Chf Insp Craig Kelly, who oversaw the investigation, called the case a “landmark” example of domestic abuse leading to fatal consequences. He emphasized that Milne exhibited “emotional and physical violence” and “coercive control,” while avoiding full accountability for his actions.

Precedent in English Courts

The conviction is the first in Scotland for this specific scenario, though similar cases have emerged in England. Nicholas Allen was sentenced to 10 years in 2017 for manslaughter after his ex-girlfriend killed herself due to his controlling behavior. In 2018, Steven Gane was charged with “driving his partner to suicide” through abuse, though an inquest later confirmed his role in her unlawful death.