London — Kimberly Milne jumped to her death in Scotland in July 2023, but prosecutors in a landmark case said Friday that she was motivated to do so by her husband’s physical abuse.
Lee Milne, 40, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to culpable homicide and engaging in disorderly conduct. It was the first case in which Scottish prosecutors asked jurors to find an abusive spouse responsible for the death of a victim who takes his own life.
Prosecutor Laura Buchan said, “Lee Milne physically and mentally abused Kimberly.” “He knowingly and cruelly took advantage of Kimberly’s vulnerabilities, which makes him culpable for the decision to end her life.”
Prosecutors presented evidence of physical and emotional abuse and control by Lee Milne during their 18-month married life, which resulted in her death in Dundee, Scotland on July 27, 2023.
Milne had grabbed his wife by the neck, strangled her, dragged her around, restrained her, punched her and knocked her unconscious. He insulted her and tried to drive her away from the family. He limited her access to money and transportation and locked her in his apartment without food.
Judge Lorna Drummond said, “Domestic abuse is rarely about a single incident.” “It’s not just about violent acts, it includes more subtle, but still harmful, exercises of power and control in a relationship. And this escalates over time, as each act, whether physical, psychological or financial, adds to the next. Pressure and fear are increasing, confidence and independence are decreasing.”
The family said in a statement read in court that they were devastated by the death of their “much-loved” daughter, sister and aunt.
Four months before she died at the age of 28, Kimberly Milne was encouraged by her sister to leave her husband.
“How can I leave him if he says he will do without me,” she replied.
By the time of his death, Milne had separated from his wife, but the two were seen together in surveillance video on Kimberly Milne’s final day.
In a video, her husband can be seen driving his car fast from behind in the parking lot and running here and there to remember her at the last moment. He then turned and drove over it before hitting the brakes.
After a while, she walked onto a nearby bridge and fell onto the highway below.
“According to the jury’s verdict, you are held accountable not only for all of your outrageous acts, but also for her death,” Drummond said.
