Man to appeal landmark conviction for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge

A violent domestic abuser jailed for eight years for killing his wife after she jumped to her death from a bridge to escape him intends to appeal against his conviction and sentence.

Kimberly Milne, 28, died after being struck by multiple vehicles on the A90 in Dundee in July 2023.

Estranged husband Lee Milne, 40, denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty of culpable homicide and domestic abuse following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

The case was the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland in which an offender was held criminally responsible for the suicide of their partner.

Milne was handed an extended sentence earlier this month, with eight years in jail and three years on licence once released back into the community.

On Friday, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service told Sky News an intention to appeal against his conviction and sentence had been lodged.

During the trial, jurors heard how Milne abused Kimberly from January 2022 until her death on 27 July 2023.

Judge Lady Drummond stated: "Some of that abuse involved physical violence, including seizing her by the neck, restricting her breathing, repeatedly punching her on the head and body, striking her so that she fell and lost consciousness, and repeatedly choking her.

"The abuse was not only physical. You belittled her by shouting and swearing at her, calling her names, you tried to cut her off from her family, checked her phone, restricted her movements, and controlled her access to money and transport."

The court heard how after one assault, Kimberly slept with a knife under her pillow as she was "so frightened of him".

As part of his domestic abuse, Milne would also repeatedly threaten to take his own life if the relationship ended.

On the night she died, Milne took Kimberly on a terrifying high-speed car ride which put her in a significant state of distress, fear and alarm.

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Milne driving towards her after she was able to escape the vehicle.

Later, in a bid to flee from her abuser, she climbed the barrier of an overpass on the A90 Kingsway West and jumped off.

Lady Drummond said: "Following your actions, Kimberly Milne 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."

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A year after his wife's death, Milne went on to sexually assault two young boys in the summer of 2024.

He was convicted of the two separate charges at Forfar Sheriff Court last year and was placed on the sex offenders' register.

As well as a community payback order (CPO), which included three years of supervision, there was also a conduct requirement banning him from having contact with children under the age of 16 unless previously approved by officials.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man to appeal landmark conviction for killing abused wife who jumped from bridge