2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Ruth Suter)
William McBurnie, 57, was jailed at the High Court in Livingston today, after he rammed his vehicle through his victim's shop window on December 7, 2022. Get the latest Scottish crime and courts news sent straight to your inbox with our daily Criminal Record newsletter We have more newsletters Get the latest Scottish crime and courts news sent straight to your inbox with our daily Criminal Record newsletter We have more newsletters A former police officer has been jailed for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend and her mother, after he ploughed his car into the window of her business. William McBurnie pleaded guilty to the attempted murders of Zoe Turnbull, and her 71-year-old mother, Beverly Turnbull at the High Court in Livingston last month.
The 57-year-old narrowly missed both victims after he drove his vehicle at speed through the funeral directors in Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, on December 7, 2022. The near-fatal incident left victim Zoe Turnbull, 46, with hearing loss and injuries to her back and legs. McBurnie, who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder on the first day of trial, was given a 13-year extended sentence with 11-years in jail at the High Court in Livingston on Thursday.
The court heard how former police officer McBurnie had woken up at 6am on the day of the collision and drank a third of a litre bottle of whisky before driving into town to complete an errand. His former partner later saw him sitting at the junction opposite her funeral director business and expressed concern to her mother, who suggested she lock the door. McBurnie drove away but turned around using the one-way system.
He then accelerated at speed over a give way junction before mounting the pavement, crashing through two large flower planters and into the glass fronted office. As his vehicle approached, his former partner was standing beside her desk while her mother had gone towards the office door, which had frosted glass. The complainer noticed the car approaching and yelled at her mother: “He’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming through the window.
” She turned away from the oncoming vehicle and pinned herself against the wall of the office. The car narrowly missed the women, who were both injured as a result, with one being hit by debris. The office desk was hit with such force that it was embedded in the back wall.
McBurnie, who sustained a minor friction burn on his wrist, was heard to then say: “Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking.” Whilst waiting for officers to attend, he stated that he had been struggling to come to terms with the end of the relationship and had been drinking heavily. The court heard how he had sent regular, unwanted messages to his former partner using a variety of platforms in the months leading up to the attempted murder.
He would tell her how much he missed her and that he wanted to reconcile the relationship. When intoxicated, the messages would become unpleasant, angry, abusive and were, on occasions, threatening. Sometimes, these were deleted with an apology sent, only for them to begin again.
Between June and December 2022, McBurnie sent his former partner hundreds of communications. McBurnie was also given non-harassment orders, which prevent him from contacting or attempting to contact the two women for an indefinite period. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of 16-and-a-half years.
Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: "This was an extremely reckless act which could have had devastating consequences had it not been for the swift actions of William McBurnie’s former partner. “Our thoughts and best wishes remain with both women as they continue to deal with the lasting trauma caused by this individual. McBurnie is a domestic abuser who will now face the consequences of his actions.
I hope this conviction reaffirms our commitment to prosecuting crimes of this nature. “I would encourage all victims or witnesses of similar offending to come forward, report their experiences and seek support.” Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
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