Domestic abuser who killed wife after she jumped to her death from road bridge jailed for eight years

A domestic abuser convicted of killing his wife after she jumped to her death from a road bridge in Dundee has been jailed for eight years.

Kimberly Bruce died after being struck by vehicles when she jumped onto the A90 on July 27, 2023.

The 28-year-old had been subjected to an 18-month campaign of abuse by her husband, Lee Milne.

The 40-year-old was found guilty of her death at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

He was also convicted of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards her.

On Friday, Milne was also handed a three-year supervised extended sentence following release from prison.

Kimberly’s family hugged in the court following Milne’s sentence.

It is understood to be the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland.

Scene of Kimberley's death in Dundee in July, 2023 — Scene of Kimberley’s death in Dundee in July, 2023 STV News

‘Kimberley was one in a million’

Lady Drummond imposed an 11-year extended sentence on Milne, which includes eight years behind bars and three years of supervision upon his release from prison.

The judge told him: “You had split from Kimberly… and you knew that day she was in distress and having difficulties.

“Your response that day included driving erratically at speed while in the car, and you shouted at her, threw an item at her, which was further abuse carried out by you when she was in a fragile state.

“Following your actions, she reached a point of despair where she climbed a barrier and fell to her death.

“You bare responsibility not only for abusive acts but for causing her death.

“I have read the victim impact statement from her family, which describes her as one in a million and a much-loved daughter, sister and aunt. They are devastated by her death.

“Nothing I can say or do today can bring her back and ease their grief.”

‘Emotional abuse as dangerous as physical abuse’

Laura Buchan from the Crown Office and Prosecutor Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “We hope this truly tragic case raises public awareness and allows public to have a deeper understanding of the absolutely devastating impact that domestic abuse can have on victims.

“This case demonstrates, and the evidence we heard of the incidents involving Kimberley, that emotional and psychological abuse can be as dangerous as physical abuse.

“The court heard difficult, harrowing evidence of abuse over many months, including physical abuse, but also psychological abuse that impacted on Kimberly.

Lee Milne walking ahead of Kimberley Bruce while leaving a supermarket at Kingsway, Dundee on July 27, 2023. Crown Office

“I’ve been a prosecutor for over two decades. 20 years ago, we would prosecute domestic abuse often as one single incident of physical violence. Coercive control really transformed the way that investigators, prosecutors and the court identified domestic abuse. We now know that domestic abuse can be psychological, financial, emotional and physical and we know the devastating impact that that abuse can have on victims.“

“Almost 70% of our business in the high courts is made up of serious sexual offences and domestic abuse. In 2024 – 2025 we received just over 30,000 charges of domestic abuse reported to us and of that, 85% are charges where violence is perpetrated against women by men.

“We recognise it’s a societal issue and we recognise we need to support victims through the process. Importantly, it’s about listening to victims and understanding the impact on them.”

Text exchange between Kimberly and her sister prior to her death Crown Office

Detective chief inspector Craig Kelly from Police Scotland said: “I would describe Milne’s actions as truly horrific.

“We built up a quite accurate timeline using CCTV, witness testimony, and it can be seen during that time he’s driven her in a car. At one point he drove a car towards her, she’s got back in the car with him, he’s crashed the car.

“The argument continued to the point where members of the public have become involved to try and help Kimberly and the members of the public described her as terrified and it would appear as a consequence of his actions she’s taken her own life.

“From investigating the relationship, we uncovered a history of physical abuse, emotional abuse and coercive control. It was obvious that Kimberly was vulnerable and really struggled.

“They had separated, but despite there being bail conditions to safeguard her, he continued to contact her, and the abuse continued throughout the period.

“CCTV was vital in establishing what had actually happened in the build-up to the event on that night. The phone messages also give an insight in terms of the abuse.

“That coupled with the witness testimony showed his conduct and the nature of his coercive control and bullying behaviour towards Kimberly.

“Witnesses before the incident described Kimberly as being terrified, described him as being the aggressor. It was quite apparent from his witness statements that he attempted to deflect from his own involvement and blame Kimberly for what had happened. He accepted little responsibility for the circumstances.

“I’d like to acknowledge the impact that this has had on Kimberley’s family. I hope this outcome will provide some closure for them.

“It was a challenging and complex investigation. We worked closely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service throughout to gather CCTV evidence, witness testimony, all to paint a picture of the violent conduct of Lee Milne and that he had control over Kimberly, not just on that evening but for a number of years prior to her death.”

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