Husband, 40, whose spouse jumped to her loss of life from a highway bridge after marketing campaign of abuse is jailed for eight years

The husband of a woman who jumped to her death from a road bridge following his campaign of abuse against her has been jailed for eight years.

Lee Milne, 40, was sentenced after being convicted over the death of Kimberly Milne, 28, who died after being struck by multiple vehicles on the A90 in Dundee on July 27, 2023.

She had been subjected to an 18-month campaign of abuse by Milne, who was found guilty of culpable homicide and engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards her at Glasgow High Court in March.

Lady Drummond also gave Milne a three-year extended licence upon his release.

In a victim impact statement from her family, the court heard that Ms Milne was ‘a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt, and they are devastated by her death.’

The judge said: ‘Nothing I can do or say can bring her back or ease their grief.’

It is understood to be the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland.

Milne’s trial heard how in the hours leading up to his wife’s death, he was aggressive and intimidating towards her.

Harrowing CCTV footage from the final hours of Kimberly’s life, from the Kingsway area of Dundee, captured Milne’s aggressive behaviour towards his wife directly before her suicide.

She was seen cowering from Milne while he shouted at her, walking away as he drove at her, hiding behind a wall and trailing slowly behind him as he led the way.

Finally they both walked onto a flyover bridge from which Kimberly climbed the barrier of the overpass and jumped.

A witness told the court how she had seen a man and a woman appearing to have an argument shortly before Kimberly’s death. 

She later saw the same couple outside a flooring store, and described how the man was ‘trapping’ the woman against the wall. 

At trial, he was also found guilty of a number of domestic abuse offences committed against Ms Milne 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 struck her, causing her to fall and hit her head on a wall, knocking her unconscious.

In May 2023, Milne seized her by the throat when she asked to be taken home, choked her and shouted at her, causing her to run to another room and barricade herself in with a table.

After forcing his way into the room 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.’

Prosecutor Laura Buchan, Scotland’s Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Legal Director, said: ‘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.’

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