WATCH: 'He was the Jekyll and Hyde of Jedburgh'
Victim describes 'charming' Borders photographer Bill McBurnie as a 'forceful monster', who used violence to get his own way
Last updated 10th Oct 2024
"Finally, after two years of physical, emotional and practical chaos, we have justice."
Those are the words of Jedburgh funeral director Zoe Turnbull after her former partner William McBurnie was today (Thursday) jailed for 11 years for attempted murder.
He tried to kill her, and her 71-year-old mum, after she dumped him, by driving his car through the window of her undertakers business in the Scottish Borders.
Welcoming the sentence, Zoe, aged 46, in a statement, said: "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 a 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."
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video from the court...
The court heard the former police officer - who had a previous conviction for driving under the influence - had turned his car into a lethal weapon and used it with devastating effect.
Judge Lord Mulholland said McBurnie's actions were "so cowardly, selfish and reckless" that he was fortunate not to be facing a murder charge.
READ MORE: Former police officer turned local newspaper photographer jailed following attempted murder bid
In addition to the jail sentence, McBurnie - who regularly filled double-page spreads in the Southern Reporter with photographs from local events - will also serve a further two years under supervision in the community on his release.
The 57-year old, who served with the Police Service of Northern Ireland before setting up a freelance photography business in Jedburgh, has also been banned from contacting his victims for life and disqualified from driving for 16-and-a-half years.
Passing sentence, Judge Lord Mulholland said: "You were a former police officer and you have a criminal conviction for driving whilst intoxicated. You would have been aware therefore that you should not be driving intoxicated.
"You turned a mode of transport, your vehicle, into a lethal weapon and used it with devastating effect.
"Your criminal conduct has had a significant and detrimental effect on both women and you should be ashamed for what you did."
And he added: "Your conduct was so cowardly, selfish and reckless that it could easily have killed her and her mother who was also present. You are fortunate that you are not in the dock facing a charge of murder."
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/