Emily Drouet’s family launches landmark civil case

Emily was a fresher at the University of Aberdeen when she met Angus Milligan, who launched a campaign of assault and abuse against her, including physical assault and threatening messages.

Following her death, Mr Milligan, then 21, was investigated but not prosecuted. He was later convicted of assaulting Ms Drouet, threatening and abusing her, and sending offensive, indecent, obscene, and menacing texts. He was sentenced to 180 hours of community service and resumed his studies elsewhere after being expelled from the University of Aberdeen.

The Drouet has now made a novel application for “loss of society”. Typically used for compensation claims for the death of a close relative caused by negligence, loss of society is being employed in this case to argue that someone’s negligence caused another to take their own life.

There is no upper limit on awards but such cases typically amount to up to £100,000 for parents and £50,000 for siblings. The case was called at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on May 30, but a date has yet to be set. Emily’s mother, Fiona Drouet, is listed as a party in the case, alongside Mr Milligan.

While “loss of society” cases generally need to be brought within three years of the person’s death, the court can also consider whether the time limit should start only after a relative becomes aware that the death arose from a wrongful act. A decision on the application of the three-year limit in this case has yet to be made.