Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge

Man jailed for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge

Lee Milne, 39, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the death of his wife, Kimberly Milne, 28, who died after leaping from a motorway bridge in Dundee in July 2023. The incident occurred when she was struck by multiple vehicles on the A90, marking the first prosecution in Scotland where a man is held accountable for a death even though the victim chose to end her life.

Domestic Abuse History

Prosecutors detailed that the couple began their relationship in late 2021 and married in September 2022. The abuse escalated rapidly, with incidents ranging from physical assaults to emotional manipulation. One notable attack in early 2022 involved Milne choking his wife, and by late 2022, he had allegedly been cheating on her, leading to another violent episode where he hit her on the head, causing her to lose consciousness.

“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,” Kimberly told police before her death.

Testimony revealed that Milne’s controlling behavior intensified, culminating in a critical moment on the night of her death. A witness reported seeing him “trapping” Kimberly against a wall, with her appearing “cowering, scared” and unable to respond. CCTV footage showed her following him as he drove toward her, hiding behind a barrier and trailing him until she made the fatal decision to jump.

Prosecutor’s Statement

Det Chf Insp Craig Kelly, who led the investigation, emphasized Milne’s pattern of violence. “He is a violent bully who demonstrated emotional and physical abuse toward Kimberly and coercive control,” he stated. The evidence, including witness accounts and video recordings, illustrated a history of severe domestic abuse, with Milne refusing to take full responsibility and blaming his wife’s vulnerabilities.

“He tried to grab her hands and she looked up at him, shook her head before jumping off,” said Kimberly’s mother, Lynne Bruce, 54, in a statement presented to the court.

Previously, Milne had been convicted of sexually assaulting two young boys in 2024 and placed on the sex offenders’ register. His actions during the trial highlighted a consistent cycle of aggression and manipulation, culminating in the tragic loss of his wife. Those affected by domestic abuse are encouraged to seek support via BBC Action Line.