A landmark ruling has expanded legal accountability in domestic abuse cases.
Lee Milne has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of culpable homicide in the death of his wife, Kimberly Milne, in Dundee. The man jailed for killing wife case is the first of its kind in Scotland, where a conviction was secured despite the victim taking her own life.
Kimberly Milne, 28, died in July 2023 after falling from a motorway bridge onto the A90 and being struck by vehicles. Prosecutors said she had suffered repeated physical violence and coercive control during the relationship. Evidence presented in court included CCTV footage, witness accounts, and prior statements detailing abuse over an 18-month period.
On the night of her death, witnesses described her as visibly frightened during an argument in public. She was later seen trying to escape before running onto the bridge. The court found that the sustained abuse played a direct role in her actions.
The ruling also included a separate conviction for domestic abuse. Authorities say the case highlights how coercive and violent behaviour can have fatal consequences.
Similar legal arguments have been tested before, including a 2017 case in England linking controlling behaviour to unlawful killing.
The verdict on the man jailed for killing his wife marks a major step in recognizing the impact of domestic abuse under the law.
The ruling reinforces that prolonged abuse can lead to criminal responsibility, even in complex cases involving indirect death.