Ex-Cop Rams Car into Funeral Office in Attempted Murder of Ex-Partner
A former policeman in Scotland pleaded guilty to attempted murder after driving his car into a funeral directors office, targeting his ex-girlfriend and her mother. The incident, fueled by alcohol, resulted in injuries and trauma.
In a shocking incident that occurred approximately 21 months ago, a former law enforcement officer deliberately drove his vehicle into a funeral directors office in Jedburgh, a historic town in the Scottish Borders. The perpetrator, William McBurnie, 57, admitted to attempted murder charges at the High Court in Livingston.
The event unfolded in December 2022, when McBurnie, originally from Northern Ireland, intentionally mounted the pavement and crashed through the glass-fronted office. His targets were his ex-girlfriend, Zoe Turnbull, 46, and her mother Beverley, 71. Miraculously, both women survived by pressing themselves against the walls as the silver Suzuki smashed into the building.
At the time of the incident, McBurnie's blood alcohol level was nearly triple the legal limit in Scotland, which is notably lower than in other parts of the UK. The court heard that he had been consuming whisky, Scotland's national drink, since 6 AM that day while watching "Peaky Blinders," a popular British crime drama set in 1920s Birmingham.
The attack was rooted in McBurnie's inability to accept the end of his two-year relationship with Zoe Turnbull, which had concluded in June 2022. Following the breakup, he had reportedly been drinking heavily for four months.
"He's coming! He's coming! He's coming through the window!"
After the crash, McBurnie exited the vehicle with a wrist injury and reportedly said, "Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking." This act of contrition did little to mitigate the consequences of his actions.
The incident resulted in significant physical and psychological trauma for the victims. Zoe Turnbull suffered a bruised leg and was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tinnitus. Her mother experienced two heart attacks after leaving the building, highlighting the severe impact of emotional trauma on physical health.
Prior to the attack, McBurnie had allegedly harassed Ms. Turnbull with unwanted phone calls and repeated visits to her workplace. This behavior falls under harassment laws in Scotland, which protect individuals from such unwelcome attention.
Judge Lord Mulholland condemned McBurnie's actions as "cowardly, selfish and at the very least wickedly reckless," a term in Scottish law that denotes utter disregard for consequences. The judge warned McBurnie to expect a substantial sentence for his crime.
In her statement, Zoe Turnbull expressed relief that McBurnie's "true self" had been exposed through the conviction. She affirmed her determination to regain control of her life, demonstrating resilience in the face of this traumatic experience.
McBurnie's defense lawyer, Gareth Jones, stated that his client had shown "genuine remorse" for his actions, acknowledging them as "entirely reckless." While remorse is often considered a mitigating factor in sentencing, the severity of the crime suggests that McBurnie will likely face significant legal consequences for his actions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of alcohol abuse and the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into life-threatening situations. It also highlights the importance of support systems and legal protections for individuals facing harassment or threats from former partners.
