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In a landmark case in Scotland, a man has been convicted for the death of his wife, who took her own life by jumping from a motorway bridge. Kimberley Milne, aged 28, tragically died in July 2023 after being hit by multiple vehicles on the A90 in Dundee. This prosecution marks the first of its kind in the country, addressing abuse-linked culpability in a domestic context.
Lee Milne, aged 39, who had denied charges of culpable homicide alongside allegations of domestic abuse at various residences in Dundee, was found guilty after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. His conviction included engaging in a sustained pattern of abusive behavior toward Kimberley. After previously being on bail, Milne was remanded into custody following the verdict, with sentencing scheduled for 10 April. Prosecutors detailed that Kimberley endured considerable domestic violence over the 18 months preceding her death.
Testimonies during the trial included witness accounts describing scenes of distress on the night Kimberley jumped from the bridge. Daisy White, a 25-year-old witness, recounted seeing the couple outside arguing, initially mistaking the situation for something less alarming. Upon returning to the same location, she observed the man seemingly cornering the woman against a wall, with Kimberley appearing frightened and unable to respond. White expressed her concern, noting the distressing dynamic as “alarm bells.”
Additional insight came from Kimberley’s mother, Lynne Bruce, who described how Lee Milne woke her the morning after her daughter’s death, informing her that Kimberley had “gone.” Lynne recounted Milne’s account of an incident where Kimberley had crashed his car before he pursued her to the bridge. According to Lynne’s statement, Milne attempted to grab her daughter’s hands before Kimberley shook her head and jumped. Lynne described feeling “devastated” and noted visible injuries on Kimberley, which she attributed to Milne’s actions. She also testified that Kimberley had been behaving erratically on the day of her death.
The trial revealed a troubling history of domestic abuse that began shortly after the couple’s relationship started in late 2021 and after they married in September 2022. Prosecutors portrayed Milne as having subjected Kimberley to repeated torment and violence, including a choking incident in early 2022. Kimberley had described to police episodes of controlling and aggressive behavior, including Milne invading her privacy, verbally abusing her with offensive language, and physically assaulting her. She detailed one occasion where Milne pinned her against a kitchen wall and another where he yanked her to the ground by the hair, subsequently apologizing but continuing the abuse.
Further violence included head injuries caused during an alleged attack following suspicions of infidelity, and an incident where he repeatedly punched Kimberley’s ribs as she begged for mercy. Fearful for her safety, she reportedly slept with a knife under her pillow to protect herself. Despite the severity of the abuse, Milne had a history of dismissing his actions, claiming he was “not that type of guy” while apologizing after assaults.
Following the verdict, prosecutor Alex Prentice KC highlighted the emotional impact on Kimberley’s family, who submitted victim impact statements for the court’s consideration. He commented on the profound and enduring grief caused by Kimberley’s death and the difficulty her relatives face in moving forward. The court was also informed that Milne had multiple prior convictions, including assault, resisting arrest, and driving offenses. Lady Drummond, addressing Milne, stressed the seriousness of the offenses and the harm caused to Kimberley’s family
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