She was the innocent victim of pure evil
NO blame whatsoever can be attached to Alice Ruggles, said a police chief, as a domestic violence charity criticised comments made in relation to her murder.
Lance Corporal Trimaan Dhillon, 26, was sentenced to life for slitting the throat of his 24-year-old former girlfriend at her flat in Gateshead.
He was found guilty after an 11 day trial and will serve at least 22 years behind bars for Alice’s murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Lisa Theaker who headed the investigation described Dhillon as a ‘dangerous man.’
She said: “Trimaan Dhillon is a cold, calculated and manipulative individual. He has shown no remorse for his actions.”
Alice had previously reported her concerns about Dhillon to the police after he stalked her following the breakdown of their abusive relationship.
The force referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the case.
When questioned if lessons can be learned from the case, Det Chief Insp Theaker said: “I think it’s difficult. I don’t think Alice fully understood the threat that he actually posed.
“She didn’t know the full extent of what he was doing in the background, and she didn’t want to get him into trouble.
“She didn’t want to get him arrested, and ultimately she paid the price for that with her life.
“Now, after we have done the investigation, it is clear that he stalked Alice. That wasn’t known to Alice or to the police at that time. When you look at his pattern of behaviour, speak to previous girlfriends, other friends, it is clear that he is an obsessive, manipulative dangerous man.”
Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid has criticised the comments as ‘victim blaming’ and said it should not have been left up to Alice to judge how dangerous Dhillon was.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “This is a worrying snapshot of victimblaming within the criminal justice system.
“It is the job of the police is to build the case for the victim – not the other way around.”
She went on to say that it is not uncommon for women who are victims of abuse, as Alice was, to feel very unsafe about giving evidence or pressing charges against their abuser.
The charity has called for robust domestic abuse training in all police forces.
Northumbria Police have vehemently denied any implication that they have blamed Alice in any way and emphasised its belief that Dhillon is the sole person responsible for her brutal murder.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird DBE QC, said: “My sympathy is with the Ruggles family who were kind enough to meet with me yesterday, during a very difficult time.
“I’m grateful for their remarks today and as I told them I would be pleased to work with them in future, if that might be helpful as they take forward their intention to raise awareness of stalking and improve responses to it.
“When trials are reported what is known after the event is sometimes mixed up with what was known by the police and others beforehand. However, I intend to study in depth the report of the investigation conducted for the IPCC into how Northumbria Police dealt with this case. If there are lessons to be learnt, I will make sure that they are learnt throughout the force.
“All officers in Northumbria Police have already been trained in coercive control and stalking but these are complex areas of criminal behaviour and we will revisit that training and carefully consider whether improvements can be made.
“Finally, I want to make totally clear that Alice was not to blame for the actions of Dhillon in any way. It is the job of officers to assess the level of dangerousness and risk presented by an individual and to take appropriate action. It is certainly not something that can be expected from a victim.”
Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best added: “Our thoughts are with Alice’s family at this tremendously difficult time and hope this verdict gives some closure.
“There is only one person responsible for this senseless crime and that is Dhillon.
“We have carried out a full investigation into the police response to the contact Alice made with us, which is currently being reviewed by the IPCC and until we have their findings it is difficult for us to comment further. We have heard what has been said in court and read the comments of others and these will all be carefully considered. Any lessons to be learned will be acted on.”