Court holds husband responsible for wife’s suicide in first-of-its-kind case
A man has been jailed for killing his wife in a first-of-its-kind case after she jumped to her death from a road bridge following a campaign of domestic abuse.
Lee Milne, 40, was sentenced to eight years behind bars after being convicted of culpable homicide and engaging in a course of abusive behavior towards his wife in a landmark case at the High Court in Glasgow.
Milne was found legally responsible for his wife’s death - not because he physically caused it, but because his campaign of abuse was seen to play a significant role in her death.
The Crown Office said it is the first time an offender has been held criminally responsible for the suicide of their partner.
Judge Lady Drummond also gave Milne a three-year extended sentence, meaning he will be on license following his release.
Kimberly Milne, 28, jumped to her death onto a motorway from a bridge in Dundee on July 27, 2023.
In a victim impact statement from Kimberly’s family, the court heard she was “a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt, and they are devastated by her death.”
Lady Drummond said: “Nothing I can do or say can bring her back or ease their grief.”
Kimberly’s husband Lee Milne, 40, was convicted by Glasgow High Court in March for her killing after he was found to have acted in an "intimidating manner" in the hours leading up to her death.
Kimberly had been terrified by his ’erratic’ driving on the day she died, with Milne proceeding to seize and shout at her.
Lady Drummond continued: “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.”
“(She) 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.”
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Kelly said Milne’s behavior leading up to Kimberly’s death was "truly shocking" and said she was "very clearly terrified of him".
Milne was a "cruel, manipulative, and violent man," he said.
It is understood to be the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland.
Milne was also found guilty of verbally and physically abusing his wife between January 2022 and July 2023, including forcing her to marry him, controlling her finances, and cutting her off from her family.
On one occasion in November 2022, Milne got angry when his wife asked to be taken home and hit her, causing her to fall and hit her head on a wall, knocking her unconscious.
Then in May 2023, a furious Milne lashed out after Kimberly asked to be taken home, seizing her by the throat and choking her.
After Kimberly ran to barricade herself in another room Milne forced his way in and repeatedly punched and then bit her before throwing her against a wall and threatening to hit her with a mirror.
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Kelly added: “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 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.”
Politics Editor
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