The boyfriend of a student found dead in her room last year has been spared jail after admitting carrying out a campaign of abuse against her.
Emily Drouet, 18, was found in her halls of residence in the early hours of March 18 last year during her first year at Aberdeen University.
Her boyfriend, Angus Milligan was found guilty of a campaign of physical and verbal abuse against the student with the last incident taking place just one day before she was found dead.
Girl found dead in Aberdeen halls: Boyfriend in court on abuse charges
Appearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today, Mr Milligan was sentenced to 180 hours unpaid work and a one-year supervision order.
Passing down sentence, Sheriff Malcolm Garden said: “The circumstances concerning this case are utterly tragic.
“The Procurator Fiscal does not seek to prove claim that you caused Miss Drouet’s death.
“The three charges you have admitted to demonstrate a course of conduct over a sustained period of time that is violent.
“You have demonstrated remorse but that is more to do with subsequent events rather than what happened at the time.”
Speaking outside the court building this morning, Miss Drouet’s mother Fiona said Mr Milligan had been “unmasked as a vicious abuser”.
She said the family had struggled to understand why their “beloved” daughter Emily was no longer with them, saying her life had been “stolen”.
She added: “Emily was studying law because she believed in justice and wanted to make a difference. Today marked her first legal victory.
“No sentence Angus Miligan could receive could reflect the destruction he has caused or bring Emily back.”
Mrs Drouet continued: “Please help us ensure that Emily’s legacy is a positive one. Domestic violence kills. If you are being abused or think one of your friends is, please reach out.
“Do it for you and do it for Emily.”
