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Man expelled for abusing girlfriend who took her own life offered new uni spot

The boyfriend of a young woman who took her own life after weeks of abuse was offered a place at a top university following his conviction, despite being expelled from another following the ordeal.

Angus Milligan, 22, avoided jail but was sentenced to 180 hours community service and given a one-year supervision order for assault and threatening behaviour towards 18-year-old Emily Drouet.

Milligan admitted choking and slapping the young woman and sending her threatening and obscene texts, while the pair studied at Scotland’s Aberdeen University.

The university subsequently expelled him, and Miss Drouet was found dead in her university hall, in March 2016.

Emily Drouet, 18, took her own life after<span> weeks of abuse at the hands of her boyfriend Angus Milligan. </span>Source: <span>Remembering Emily Drouet /Facebook</span>
Emily Drouet, 18, took her own life after weeks of abuse at the hands of her boyfriend Angus Milligan. Source: Remembering Emily Drouet /Facebook

Two years on, her family has learned Milligan was offered a place at one of the UK’s leading universities, Oxford Brookes University, just weeks after being convicted, and he has been studying there for a year.

The teenager’s heartbroken mother Fiona Drouet, 46, has slammed the university for welcoming the man into its community following such a serious crime against a fellow student.

“Seeing him back in such an environment brings a feeling of horror to us as a family,” she told the Daily Record.

“It’s extremely distressing and I feel overwhelming sadness that all the work we’re doing on domestic and gender-based violence has apparently been disregarded here.

Angus Milligan admitted choking and slapping the young woman and sending her threatening and obscene texts, while the pair<span> studied at Scotland’s Aberdeen University. </span>Source: <span>Remembering Emily Drouet /Facebook</span>
Angus Milligan admitted choking and slapping the young woman and sending her threatening and obscene texts, while the pair studied at Scotland’s Aberdeen University. Source: Remembering Emily Drouet /Facebook

“He’s a dangerous individual, in my opinion — and in the opinion of the court,” Ms Drouet said.

“This is him being repositioned in a very similar environment once again. He’s back at a university, he’s on campus and he’s in with freshers.

“That’s exactly where he committed his crimes before. I cannot understand why a university would take the risk.”

Oxford Brookes University said staff were aware of Milligan’s previous conviction.

While it said it could not comment on individual cases, the university confirmed all applicants were required to provide information about any relevant criminal convictions as part of the admissions process.

Emily’s mother Fiona Drouet has slammed Oxford Brookes University for welcoming her daughter’s abuser into its community following such a serious crime against a fellow student. Source: <span>Remembering Emily Drouet /Facebook</span>
Emily’s mother Fiona Drouet has slammed Oxford Brookes University for welcoming her daughter’s abuser into its community following such a serious crime against a fellow student. Source: Remembering Emily Drouet /Facebook

“The application will be judged through normal processes in the first instance and, if the recommendation is to offer the applicant a place, it will be assessed by experienced staff in the light of the declared conviction,” a university spokesperson said of its general application process.

“This includes risk assessments and the continued support of our wellbeing service where appropriate.”

If you or someone you know is suffering from sexual or domestic abuse, don’t suffer in silence, call the National sexual assault helpline 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 any time of day or night.