ALICE Ruggles was killed by her jealous and controlling ex-boyfriend Trimaan “Harry” Dhillon in “one final act of dominance and control” on October 12, 2016.
The sickening case is featured in an episode of ITV’s The Social Media Murders. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who was Alice Ruggles?
Alice Ruggles was a 24-year-old Northumbria University product design graduate from Leicester.
She took a job at Sky after graduating and developed an intense relationship with Trimaan “Harry” Dhillon while he was serving in Afghanistan.
Dhillon “bombarded” Alice with text messages and phone calls, gave her unwanted gifts, contacted her friends and family and threatened to kill himself as part of his manipulative pattern of behaviour while stalking her.
These threats were not considered to be genuine expressions of intent, but rather a tactic to control and guilt-trip her into maintaining contact.
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She ended their relationship and reported her killer to cops weeks before her death.
How did Alice Ruggles die?
Lance Corporal Dhillon climbed into Alice’s flat through an open window on October 12, 2016, before slashing her throat.
She suffered 24 injuries, while Dhillon — who at 6ft 1in and 12st 7lb was almost a foot taller and three stone heavier — suffered none.
Jurors at Newcastle Crown Court were played a frantic 999 call by Alice’s friend Maxine McGill where she described finding her pal “covered in blood”.
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She named Dhillon as the killer, branding him an “absolute psychopath”.
In court, the monster claimed Alice had attacked him and died after accidentally plunging the carving knife into her neck when she fell during a row.
He was caged for life at HMP Durham, where he is still being held, with a minimum of 22 years for the act of “utter barbarism”.
How long did Dhillon stalk Alice for?
Alice split with manipulative Dhillon in August 2016 after discovering he had been contacting other women on social media and dating apps.
He then launched a campaign of harassment against Alice and her family, even contacting her mum on social media begging her to intervene.
Dhillon hacked into Alice’s Facebook account to monitor her movements and sent her selfies of himself crying.
The stalking turned more sinister when he discovered she might be starting a new relationship with an Army officer she met in Germany.
Depraved Dhillon began stalking Alice’s flat at night, knocking on her bedroom window and terrifying her.
She contacted police and obtained a PIN (harassment notice) warning, ordering him to stay away.
Alice Ruggles was murdered by Trimaan “Harry” Dhillon[/caption]
But Dhillon, who was born in India and hoped to join the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, ignored it and sent her a parcel along with yet another pleading note.
When asked by cops if she wanted him to be arrested, Alice declined and later told a friend she felt “palmed off”.
She also chillingly told her sister Emma that the police would only “respond when he stabs me”.
Northumbria Police said they referred their actions to the IPCC, but said no one at the time knew the threat he posed.
The force has since apologised after the IPCC ruled officers failed to properly investigate.
Alice’s parents Clive and Sue set up the Alice Ruggles Trust, which raises money and provides training and education about issues such as stalking.
The Social Media Murders
The horrific story of Alice’s murder is featured in episode four of true crime docuseries The Social Media Murders.
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It examines how cyberstalking led to the tragic outcome, including previously unseen social media evidence highlighting the dangers of online harassment.
The show will be broadcast on ITV1 at 10.50pm on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
