Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge

Man Jailed for Killing Abused Wife Who Jumped from Bridge

Lee Milne, 40, received an eight-year prison sentence for the death of his wife Kimberly Milne, 28, following her fatal jump from a motorway bridge in Dundee in July 2023. The incident marked the first time in Scotland that a man was prosecuted for causing his partner’s death after she took her own life by leaping from the A90.

Domestic Abuse and Culpable Homicide

Kimberly’s death was the result of multiple vehicles striking her as she stood on the bridge. The jury found Milne guilty of culpable homicide and domestic abuse at various locations in the city. Prosecutors highlighted that the abuse spanned 18 months before her death, including choking, hair-pulling, and verbal assaults.

“Kimberly was clearly terrified of Milne, and her death was a consequence of her decision to escape him.”

Witnesses and CCTV footage depicted a pattern of psychological and physical control. During the trial, a statement from Kimberly’s mother, Lynne Bruce, 54, revealed that Milne visited her home the day after the tragedy. He claimed his wife had crashed the car and then jumped to her death.

“I was woken by Lee at my door. He said Kim had gone, but I didn’t know what he meant. He came in and told me she’d pulled the steering wheel and crashed the car before chasing her to the bridge.”

Det Chf Insp Craig Kelly, the lead investigator, emphasized the severity of the abuse, describing Milne as a “violent bully” who used coercive tactics. The evidence showed Kimberly’s fear, with witnesses noting her trembling and reluctance to act during confrontations.

Abuse Incidents and Accountability

Testimony revealed that the couple met in late 2021 and married in September 2022. Abuse escalated quickly, culminating in an incident in early 2022 when Milne choked her. In another episode, he dragged her by the hair to the ground, later apologizing while blaming her emotional state.

Kimberly also reported discovering her husband allegedly cheating on her with other women in late 2022. This led to a head injury, causing her to lose consciousness. The trial included a witness who described seeing the couple arguing at a retail park, with Kimberly appearing “cowering” and “scared” as Milne approached her.

CCTV recordings showed Kimberly trailing Milne as he drove toward her, hiding behind walls, and showing signs of distress. The judge, Lady Drummond, stated that Milne’s actions led Kimberly to despair, prompting her to jump from the bridge. She noted the family’s impact, describing Kimberly as a “one-in-a-million” individual who was deeply loved.

While Scotland’s case is groundbreaking, similar prosecutions have occurred in England. In 2017, Nicholas Allen was sentenced to 10 years for manslaug

Following his release, Milne will remain under community supervision for three years. The court underscored his failure to take full responsibility, as he shifted blame to Kimberly’s vulnerabilities.