Lee Milne: Domestic abuser jailed after wife jumped to her death from Dundee bridge

A violent domestic abuser who was convicted of killing his wife in a landmark case after she jumped to her death from a bridge to escape him has been jailed for eight years.

Kimberly Milne, 28, died after being struck by multiple vehicles on the A90 in Dundee in July 2023.

Husband Lee Milne, 40, denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty of culpable homicide and domestic abuse following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

The case was the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland in which an offender was held criminally responsible for the suicide of their partner.

Milne - a convicted child sex offender - was handed an extended sentence at the same court on Friday, with eight years in jail and three years on licence once released back into the community.

Lee Milne sentencing: The court case as it happened

Lady Drummond noted that Milne abused his wife from January 2022 until her death on 27 July 2023.

The judge stated: "Over those 18 months, you repeatedly abused Kimberly Milne.

"Some of that abuse involved physical violence, including seizing her by the neck, restricting her breathing, repeatedly punching her on the head and body, striking her so that she fell and lost consciousness, and repeatedly choking her.

"The abuse was not only physical. You belittled her by shouting and swearing at her, calling her names, you tried to cut her off from her family, checked her phone, restricted her movements, and controlled her access to money and transport."

The judge said domestic abuse is "rarely about one incident".

She added: "It is not only about violent acts. It includes more subtle, but nonetheless as harmful, exertions of power and control in a relationship.

"It builds over time. Each act - whether physical, psychological, or financial - adds to the next, increasing pressure and fear, eroding confidence and independence.

"It is the cumulative effect of the varied types of abuse that makes domestic abuse so harmful and damaging."

Jurors heard how after one assault, Ms Milne slept with a knife under her pillow as she was "so frightened of him".

As part of his domestic abuse, Milne would repeatedly threaten to take his own life if the relationship ended.

In one text message shown to the jury, Ms Milne wrote to her sister: "How can I leave him if he's saying he's gonna do himself in without me."

Her sister replied: "I would just leave him, he doesn't care if that's what he's doing to be honest, Kim."

On the night she died, Milne took her on a terrifying high-speed car ride which put her in a significant state of distress, fear and alarm.

The court was shown CCTV footage of Milne driving towards her after she was able to escape the vehicle.

Later, in a bid to flee from her abuser, she climbed the barrier of an overpass on the A90 Kingsway West and jumped off.

Lady Drummond said the couple had split by that fateful night, but Milne knew his estranged wife was "in distress and having difficulties that day".

The judge stated: "Your response to her that day - driving erratically and at speed whilst she was in the car with you, shouting at her and throwing an item at her, acting aggressively and intimidating her - was further abuse carried out by you at a time when she was in a fragile state.

"Following your actions, Kimberly Milne reached a point of despair, such that she climbed over the barrier of a road bridge and fell to her death.

"By the jury's verdict, you must bear responsibility not only for all of your abusive acts but for causing her death."

While this is the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland, back in 2017, Nicholas Allen was jailed for 10 years in England after being convicted of the manslaughter of his ex-girlfriend, Justene Reece, who took her own life due to his controlling and coercive behaviour.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Ms Milne suffered from health issues which left her vulnerable to her abuser's manipulation.

Prosecutor Laura Buchan, COPFS 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?"

Ms Buchan said the evidence showed Milne's physical and psychological abuse was a "significant contributing factor" in his wife's death.

She added: "He deliberately and ruthlessly exploited Kimberly's vulnerabilities, which makes him culpable for her decision to end her own life."

A year after his wife's death, Milne went on to sexually assault two young boys in the summer of 2024.

He was convicted of the two separate charges at Forfar Sheriff Court last year and was placed on the sex offenders' register.

As well as a community payback order (CPO), which included three years of supervision, there was also a conduct requirement banning him from having contact with children under the age of 16 unless previously approved by officials.

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Kelly branded him a "cruel, manipulative and violent man".

He added: "She was very clearly terrified of him on that night. It is a tragedy that she lost her life as a consequence.

"Our thoughts are with Kimberly's family and friends following this sentencing.

"They have dealt with her tragic loss with great dignity and hopefully this outcome will provide a degree of closure."

(c) Sky News 2026: Lee Milne: Domestic abuser jailed after wife jumped to her death from Dundee bridge