The ex-partner of a former PSNI officer jailed for 11 years for attempting to murder her and her mother by ramming his car into a funeral home has described him as a violent and forceful monster who belongs behind bars.
William McBurnie was sentenced on Thursday after previously pleading guilty to murder Zoe Turnball (46) and mother Beverley (71) by ramming his vehicle at speed through the window of the funeral home she owns n the Scottish Borders town of Jedburgh.
McBurnie (57) was the “Jekyll and Hyde” of the Scottish town where he lived, Ms Turnball said.
She described living through two years of physical and emotional chaos since the Fermanagh man, who was drunk at the time, attempting to murder the pair.
Ms Turnball added: “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.”
McBurnie, originally from Enniskillen, previously admitted attempting to murder the pair by driving the car at them “at speed” through the window of Zoe Turnbull Funeral Directors in Market Place in the town.
The court heard McBurnie 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.
Ms Turnbull noticed the car approaching and yelled at her mother: “He’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming through the window.” They were both injured.
Judge Lord Mulholland placed McBurnie on an extended sentence of 13 years, including two years of supervision on his release from prison.
Judge Mulholland said: “You turned a mode of transport, your vehicle, into a lethal weapon and used it with devastating effect.”
Following the sentencing, Ms Turnball 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.”
Ms Turnball believes the attempt on her 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.
“I am grateful to everyone who supported us from the community to the NHS to the police and prosecutors who put him behind bars.”
Ms Burnball expressed hope she and her mother can “put this painful chapter behind us so we request our privacy is respected as we move forwards”.
“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.”
