A former police officer who tried to kill his ex-partner and her mother by smashing his car through the window of a funeral directors has been jailed for 11 years.
William McBurnie, 57, was described as the “Jekyll and Hyde of Jedburgh” by Zoe Turnbull, 46, who was injured in the collision in the Scottish Borders alongside her 71-year-old mother, Beverly.
McBurnie was said to have woken up at 6am on the day of the incident and drank a third of a litre bottle of whisky before driving into Jedburgh town centre to complete an errand.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said his former partner Ms Turnbull spotted him at a junction opposite her funeral director business and expressed concern to her mother, who suggested she lock the door.
McBurnie initially drove away but then turned around using the one-way system, accelerated at speed over a give way junction, and mounted the pavement before crashing through two large flower planters and into the glass fronted office.
Ms Turnbull yelled at her mother: “He’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming through the window.”
The car narrowly missed the women, however, the office desk was hit with such force it embedded in the back wall.
Both victims were injured, and one was hit by debris.
McBurnie, who sustained a minor friction burn on his wrist, was heard to say: “Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking.”
While 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 incident occurred on 7 December 2022.
Between June and December 2022, McBurnie sent Ms Turnbull hundreds of unwanted messages.
COPFS said McBurnie would tell his ex how much he missed her and wanted to reconcile the relationship.
When intoxicated, COPFS said the messages would become “unpleasant, angry, abusive and were, on occasions, threatening”.
Sometimes the messages were deleted with an apology sent, only for them to begin again.
In a statement following the case, Ms Turnbull said: “Finally, after two years of physical, emotional and practical chaos, we have justice.
“McBurnie was the Jekyll and Hyde of Jedburgh – charming in public but dangerous behind the scenes.
“I believe the attempt on my life happened because he knew he was losing his grip on me and this extreme act was some warped and cowardly attempt to control things.
“He was just a forceful monster who encroached on our lives and used violence to get his own way.
“That man has shamed himself, the police service and his family. Objectively, after what he did, jail really is the only place for him.”
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At the High Court in Livingston last month, McBurnie pleaded guilty to the charge of assault to injury and to the danger of life and attempted murder.
He returned to the dock on Thursday and was handed a 13-year extended sentence, with 11 years in jail and two years on licence once released back into the community.
Judge Lord Mulholland told McBurnie he should be “thoroughly ashamed” of himself.
He added: “You turned a mode of transport, your vehicle, into a lethal weapon and used it with devastating effect.”
McBurnie has been banned from contacting his victims and was also disqualified from driving for 16-and-a-half years.
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Moira Orr, head of homicide and major crime for COPFS, 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.”
Ms Turnbull thanked all those who have offered support, adding that both herself and her mother hope to put the “painful chapter” behind them.
She added: “But as a final note, I’d just like to say to anyone suffering from domestic abuse – whether man or woman – please do not feel like you are alone, or trapped or have no options and please don’t wait for the worst to happen before acting.
“You have a voice and there are so many people around you ready to listen – and act – so you can get the help you need.”
