THE murder of Alice Ruggles, who was stalked and had her neck slashed by her "psychopath" soldier ex-boyfriend, is a "potent reminder" of why women reporting abuse must be taken seriously, a charity has said.

The 24-year-old was left to bleed to death in her own Gateshead flat last October after Lance Corporal Trimaan "Harry" Dhillon cut her throat from ear to ear after he found out she had found happiness with another man.

The soldier was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday.

The court heard the 26-year-old had alienated her from her friends and been given a harassment notice warning, but despite complaining to the police Miss Ruggles chose not to have him arrested.

Speaking after the case, chief executive of Women's Aid Polly Neate said Miss Ruggles "was made to feel like a burden".

She said: "The devastating murder of Alice Ruggles is a potent reminder of why women reporting abuse must be taken seriously every single time.

"How many more women must be killed before we see robust investment in training for all agencies on domestic abuse - especially coercive control?

"How many women must be killed before we see robust sanctions being implemented swiftly when a perpetrator continues to harass his victim - even after the police are involved?"

Detective Chief Inspector Lisa Theaker, of Northumbria Police, said at the time no-one knew the level of threat that Dhillon posed and the case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Dhillon, a signaller with the 2 Scots, drove 120 miles from his barracks near Edinburgh to confront Miss Ruggles.

Miss Ruggles, who worked for Sky in Newcastle and came from Leicestershire, tried to lock herself in the bathroom but Dhillon kicked it down and slashed her throat.