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A decade has passed since the tragic murder of Alice Ruggles, yet her mother, Dr. Sue Hills, remains determined that meaningful change is necessary. Alice, who was 24 years old at the time, was killed in 2016 by her obsessive ex-boyfriend, Trimaan “Harry” Dhillon. Originally from Leicestershire, Alice endured a prolonged period of stalking by Dhillon, a soldier who traveled from his barracks near Edinburgh to break into her flat in Gateshead and ultimately take her life. Dhillon was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 22 years.
Reflecting on the loss of her daughter, Hills expressed how profoundly it has affected her life, stating, “Losing a child is a life-changing thing.” She described Alice as a vibrant, humorous, and empathetic young woman—qualities that made her truly special. In response to Alice’s death, Hills and her husband Clive Ruggles began campaigning for improved education on stalking and changes in the law. While teaching about stalking is now mandatory in secondary schools, the couple argue that distinctions between general stalking and stalking that involves fear of violence should be eliminated.
An independent review of the current stalking laws, led by Richard Wright KC, was submitted to the government in April. Hills voiced concern about the review’s impact being overshadowed by political changes, emphasizing the need for it to receive prompt attention. She said, “I think the review has a potential to have a really big impact,” but added that political upheaval often risks important issues being ignored. The review aims to examine whether existing laws effectively protect victims and hold offenders accountable, with a focus on emerging stalking forms such as online abuse and technologically enabled behaviors.
Hills also questioned why stalking victims must feel fear for harsher legal consequences to apply, noting that admitting fear essentially empowers the stalker. She remarked, “If you admit you’re afraid, you’re handing your stalker a bit of help. Why is it all on the victim, and how the victim feels? You would never say that about a burglary to a house.” The Alice Ruggles Trust, established in Alice’s memory, continues to educate young people about stalking through school assemblies and PSHE lessons. Over the past year, the trust has reached more than 4,000 young people, teaching them to recognize stalking signs, understand healthy relationships, and seek help. It has also trained 600 professionals to better identify and respond to stalking. Hills remains hopeful, stating, “I think that it’s true that the work that the trust is doing is changing people’s lives,” adding that educating potential perpetrators about the wrongfulness of stalking behavior is equally important
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