Murder bid victim of freelance photographer settles legal action
Last updated 24th Mar 2026
A woman who was nearly killed when her ex-partner crashed a car through the window of her funeral directors business has won a civil action against him.
Bill McBurnie, who worked as a freelance photographer in the Scottish Borders, was jailed for 11 years for attempted murder in 2024.
He tried to kill Zoe Turnbull after she dumped him, by driving his car through her shopfront in the centre of Jedburgh.
A court heard she and her 71-year-old mum, who was also inside, had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the silver Suzuki driven by the disgraced former police officer.
We don't know the details of the pay-out.
But Mairi Day, a Partner at Digby Brown Solicitors which represented Zoe, confirmed the legal action against McBurnie - originally from Northern Ireland - had ended.
She said: “What happened to Zoe and her mother was life-changing – they suffered physical and emotional harm that will likely impact them both forever.
“After everything Zoe has gone through she has understandably requested privacy so I will not discuss the particulars of her civil action other than to confirm the case has now settled."
And she added: “I hope the end of the criminal and civil proceedings means Zoe can finally close this distressing chapter and focus on a positive future.”
The High Court in Livingston heard how McBurnie had refused to believe his relationship with Zoe was over, bombarding the undertaker with incessant texts, emails and messages in the months leading up to the terrifying incident in Jedburgh on December 7th, 2022.
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."
The court heard McBurnie had woken up at 6am on the day of the collision and drank a third of a litre bottle of whisky before driving into town to complete an errand.
His former partner later saw him sitting at the junction opposite her funeral director business and expressed concern to her mother, who suggested she lock the door.
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.
The complainer noticed the car approaching and yelled at her mother: “He’s coming, he’s coming - he’s coming through the window!”
She turned away from the oncoming vehicle and pinned herself against the wall of the office.
The car narrowly missed the women, who were both injured as a result, with one being hit by debris.
The office desk was hit with such force that it was embedded in the back wall.
McBurnie, who sustained a minor friction burn on his wrist, was heard to then say: “Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Welcoming the sentence at the time, Zoe - who was left with hearing loss and injuries to her back and legs - 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 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."
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