Lee Milne was also convicted of engaging in abusive conduct against his wife. Photograph: SpindriftView image in fullscreenLee Milne was also convicted of engaging in abusive conduct against his wife. Photograph: SpindriftDomestic abuser jailed for killing wife who took her own life in ScotlandLee Milne sentenced to eight years in landmark case after being found guilty of culpable homicide of Kimberly Milne
A man convicted of killing his wife, who took her own life after repeated domestic abuse, has been jailed for eight years in case seen as a significant legal milestone.
Kimberly Milne, 28, died when she jumped from a bridge in July 2023. Her estranged husband, Lee Milne, was found guilty of culpable homicide last month after a trial at the high court in Glasgow.
The 39-year-old, from Dundee, is the first person in Britain to have been convicted by a jury of killing an ex-partner after prolonged domestic abuse, despite not physically causing her death.
Milne, who met Kimberly online in 2021 and married her the next year, was also convicted of engaging in abusive conduct towards her, isolating her from her family, controlling her finances and repeatedly choking her. When Kimberly tried to end the relationship, Milne threatened to kill himself.
On the night of her death, witnesses described seeing a “distraught” Kimberly “trapped” in Milne’s arms a short distance from where she died. The court heard she was in “distress, fear or alarm” when Milne followed her on to a bridge over the A90 road, from which she fell to her death.
Sentencing Milne on Friday, the judge, Lady Drummond, told him he would face an additional three years on licence when released from prison. She said an extended custodial sentence was the “only appropriate disposal” to protect the public and punish Milne.
In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 988 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
