A young graduate’s kindness and generosity lead to her being brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend, a Lance Corporal, five days after she turned down the option to press charges against him, a court heard yesterday.

Trimaan Dhillon, an army signaller who planned to join the SAS, subjected Alice Ruggles to months of harassment and “emotional blackmail” before creeping into her home to carry out a brutal attack whilst she stood in the shower.

Using “technical knowledge” and skills acquired during his time in 2nd Scots, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Dhillon embarked on a campaign of subterfuge and hacking in a sinister bid to win back Ms Ruggles, a 24-year-old university graduate.

A jury heard how Dhillon became infatuated with the 24-year-old after they were introduced online, but later became violent and threatening when Ms Ruggles discovered his infidelity and called off the relationship.