'REIGN OF TERROR' Moment ex-cop ploughs car into funeral home in bid to murder ex-partner and her mum
A JILTED ex who drove his car drunk at full speed into his former partner's office in an attempt to kill her has been told he’s facing a ‘lengthy’ jail term.
William McBurnie rammed his silver Suzuki through the front window of ex-Zoe Turnbull’s Funeral Director’s business after she dumped him.
The 46-year-old undertaker was in the office with her elderly mother, Beverly Turnbull, 71, who suffered a cardiac arrest minutes after the car ploughed through the window of the business in Jedburgh’s Main Street.
Livingston High Court heard the 57-year-old former advanced driving instructor refused to believe the relationship was over.
He had bombarded Ms Turnbull, 48, with incessant texts, emails and messages in the months leading up to the shocking incident in December 2022.
McBurnie, who had also been a local newspaper photographer, had woken up at around 6am on December 7 and started drinking whisky whilst watching Peaky Blinders.
Ms Turnbull lost her hearing in the horrific vehicle attack and has to wear hearing aids.
She also suffered injuries to her back and legs after being hit by flying debris after McBurnie drove through the building.
Zoe told how depraved McBurnie inserted himself into her life while they were in a relationship for two years.
She claimed she feared for the safety of her children and worried about repercussions from the abusive thug.The brave mum opened up about McBurnie's twisted and violent behaviour during his "reign of terror" over her life.
She said: "I never wanted to be in a relationship with him but when I tried to tell him or stand up for myself he would kick off."
She added: “Behind closed doors, he was controlling every aspect of my life through his mental and physical abuse yet in public he would act charming to everyone. It made me feel sick.
"That man aggressively inserted himself into our lives. He exerted a continuous reign of terror on me and my family."
'Your actions were cowardly and selfish'
Lord Mulholland slammed McBurnie for his “wicked recklessness” and warned him he was going to jail.
He said: “You attempted to murder two women who were doing nothing more than working.
"Your actions were cowardly, selfish and at the very least wickedly reckless.
"It’s a very serious matter and you will be sentenced to a very lengthy period of imprisonment.”
"He exerted a continuous reign of terror on me and my family."
Following his conviction, Zoe told how she was glad the truth is out about the "evil and manipulative" thug.
She added: “I’m glad his true self can now be revealed as a result of this conviction – I’m now determined to stay strong and take back control of my life.
"We as a society can't let evil, manipulative people like this be allowed to inflict their harmful will on others.
"I just want to thank the local community for their support over the last 22 months because knowing you're no longer alone is key to feeling empowered and being able to move forward."
Zoe is now pursuing a civil action through solicitors Digby Brown after suffering the harrowing injuries during the depraved attack
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