Army 'Unable To Protect' Murdered Alice Ruggles, Family Says

The family of a 24-year-old woman murdered by a jealous and obsessed soldier said the Army and police could have done more to protect her from her controlling ex-partner.

Alice Ruggles had contacted Northumbria Police about Trimaan Dhillon's stalking only days before he broke into her home in Gateshead and repeatedly cut her throat.

Following Miss Ruggles' call to the Northumbria Police in 2016, a police officer contacted Mr Dhillon's barracks, but not the Military Police or Police Scotland.

Dhillon was told to stop contacting his ex-girlfriend or face arrest charges, but ignored the warning from within the regiment and continued to contact Miss Ruggles.

Eventually, he drove to Tyneside and murdered Miss Ruggles in October 2016.

Following the events, the now-former Lance Corporal, who trained with the Special Reconnaissance Service, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Following the trial, Gateshead Council conducted a domestic homicide review (DHR), the results of which were published on Tuesday.

It has made 20 recommendations for local authorities, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence to act upon.

The DHR recommended that it becomes an offence to threaten to release intimate photos of an ex-partner, as Dhillon had done once Miss Ruggles had called off their relationship.

In a second call to Northumbria Police, as Dhillon's stalking continued, a call handler asked Miss Ruggles if she wanted him to be arrested.

The DHR found the police should have made the decision, and it should not have been left to the victim, who declined.

Following the DHR, Alice Ruggles' parents Sue and Clive said: "We find it difficult to comprehend that, although Alice described in her first phone call to the police that she was being stalked and provided ample evidence, the police and the Army were unable to support and protect her."

"We believe that her death was preventable."

Miss Ruggles' sister Emma, herself a serving soldier, said she was "frustrated" by the Army's response to the murder.

She has had no contact from Dhillon's unit, no response to questions she posed to the Royal Military Police nor a sense that lessons had been learned.

Northumbria Police's Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said changes have been made nationally regarding the response to stalking and harassment in the light of the case.

"With the help of Alice's family we are now leading the way in training officers in the best way to deal with these types of offences, with their input vital in developing a video which is now also used by other forces and partners," said Assistant Chief Constable Bacon.

Brigadier Christopher Coles, Head of Army Personnel Services Group said: "Our thoughts remain with Alice’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

"We are committed to tackling domestic abuse and last year launched a strategy to help prevent domestic abuse in all its forms.

"This includes prevention of abuse in the home and providing support to the families of service personnel who may be affected."