Attempted murder at Jedburgh funeral home by William McBurnie

William McBurnie, a 57-year-old former police officer from Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to attempted murder at the High Court in Livingston after a reckless incident in December 2022. He drove his car through the window of a funeral home in Jedburgh, injuring his ex-girlfriend, Zoe Turnbull, and her mother, Beverley Turnbull. The attack occurred shortly after the end of McBurnie's two-year relationship with Zoe, which had concluded in June 2022. On the day of the incident, McBurnie had been drinking heavily since early morning and was found to be nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit. The court heard that he had been struggling to cope with the breakup, leading to his excessive drinking over the preceding months. CCTV footage from the funeral home captured the moment of the crash, highlighting the danger posed to both women, who narrowly escaped serious injury. After the crash, McBurnie exited the vehicle with a minor hand injury and expressed confusion about his actions, stating, "Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking." The judge, Lord Mullholland, condemned McBurnie's actions as cowardly and recklessly dangerous, indicating that he should expect a lengthy prison sentence. This case raises concerns about the impact of personal crises on behavior and the potential for alcohol to exacerbate violent tendencies. The incident not only endangered the lives of the victims but also reflects the serious consequences of impaired driving and emotional distress.