Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge
Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge
Lee Milne, 40, was sentenced to eight years in prison for the death of his wife, Kimberly Milne, who died after leaping from a motorway bridge in Dundee. The incident occurred in July 2023, when she was struck by multiple vehicles on the A90 while fleeing from her husband.
The court found Milne guilty of culpable homicide and domestic abuse, marking the first time in Scotland a partner was held criminally accountable for a death caused by self-inflicted action following prolonged abuse. Prosecutors detailed how Kimberly had endured severe mistreatment from Milne over 18 months before her demise.
Details of the abuse included a choking incident in early 2022, during which Milne restrained her. Prior to 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 to shout and swear at me.”
The trial also revealed instances of emotional manipulation, such as when Milne pulled her by the hair, apologized, and claimed he was “not that type of guy.”
In late 2022, Kimberly discovered Milne allegedly cheating with other women. She described how he became enraged, hit her on the head, and left her unconscious. A witness recounted seeing the couple argue at Kingsway Retail Park, noting Milne “trapping” Kimberly against a wall. The woman appeared “cowering, scared” and unable to act, as the witness testified:
“There was not much she could do. It did not look like she was responding to the man—she was seeming too frightened.”
CCTV footage from the trial captured Milne shouting at Kimberly, cornering her, and forcing her to retreat as he drove toward her. Her mother, Lynne Bruce, recounted how Lee arrived at her house the morning after her death, claiming Kimberly “pulled the steering wheel and crashed the car” before chasing her to the bridge.
Det Chf Insp Craig Kelly, leading the investigation, emphasized Milne’s role as a “violent bully” who inflicted both physical and emotional harm. He stated:
“Witnesses described him as very aggressive, and it was clear Kimberly was terrified of him. He never fully accepted accountability and tried to blame her vulnerabilities.”
Milne’s case sets a precedent in Scotland, though similar convictions have occurred in England. Nicholas Allen received a 10-year sentence in 2017 for manslaughter after his ex-girlfriend killed herself due to his controlling behavior. Steven Gane was jailed in 2018 for “driving his partner to suicide,” though the inquest concluded his actions led to her unlawful death.
The Crown Office hailed the case as “landmark,” with legal director Laura Buchan noting:
“This prosecution sought to answer a complex question—can a partner be held criminally responsible for a death following a course of domestic abuse? Lee Milne physically and psychologically…
