Abusive man spared jail after attacks on girlfriend who later took her own life
Aberdeen law student Emily Drouet was found dead at her halls in March 2016 following weeks of physical and psychological abuse.
Thursday 13 July 2017 07:14, UK
The boyfriend of a young woman who took her own life following weeks of abuse has been spared jail after admitting attacking her in the weeks before her death.
Angus Milligan was sentenced to 180 hours' community service and given a one-year supervision order for assault and threatening behaviour towards Aberdeen University student Emily Drouet.
Milligan, a former public school pupil, admitted choking and slapping the 18-year-old, as well as sending her threatening and obscene texts.
Miss Drouet was found dead at her university halls in March 2016.
A week before, she had consulted the university's student resident assistant bearing signs of physical harm by Milligan, but said she "didn't want to get him into trouble".
Neither the police nor her parents were contacted following the meeting.
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Speaking after the sentencing, Miss Drouet's mother Fiona told Sky News: "I'm disgusted. Angus Milligan is a danger to the public. He took our daughter and abused her in every sense of the word.
"His remorse only started when he realised the trouble he was in."
However, she added: "He leaves court today as a convicted criminal, and that's the best punishment for him."
Mrs Drouet said domestic violence needed to be treated with "harsher sentences" and that courts should be showing "zero tolerance".
Miss Drouet's father Germain said: "We are broken as a family, we are broken as people.
"Many questions will never be answered, but we'll try our hardest to bring the truth to light and protect other girls."
In a family statement read outside Aberdeen Sherrif Court, Mrs Drouet said Milligan had been "unmasked as a vicious abuser" who "prayed on Emily's innocence and kindness".
She said: "Emily was studying law because she believed in justice and wanted to make a difference. Today marks her first legal victory.
"Angus Milligan's last visit to Emily was minutes before she died. We can only hope that by telling Emily's story, no young woman will have to suffer at Angus Milligan's hands again."
Imploring victims of domestic violence to reach out for help, she said: "Please help us ensure that Emily's legacy is a positive one. Domestic violence kills."
Mr and Mrs Drouet are now calling for a fatal accident inquiry into their daughter's death.