Abusive man cleared of partner’s manslaughter

The former partner of a young mother who took her own life has been found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence but cleared of her manslaughter.

Ryan Wellings, from Bispham in Lancashire, became the first defendant to be tried before a jury accused of the unlawful killing of Kiena Dawes after she took her own life following domestic violence.

The 30-year-old landscape gardener, was found not guilty of manslaughter and guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022 after a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Wellings, who had denied all charges, made no reaction as the verdicts were read out.

Warning: This article contains distressing images and content

Miss Dawes’ sister wept and her mother looked straight ahead as the defendant was cleared of manslaughter.

Wellings, who will be sentenced at a later date on the charges for which he was convicted, smiled and blew a kiss to his current girlfriend in the public gallery as he was led away.

During the trial the jury heard Ms Dawes, a 23-year-old hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, left a note saying “I was murdered” and that Wellings had “killed [her]” before taking her own life on 22 July 2022.

The defence said her medical records showed she had a history of mental health problems starting from the age of 13, frequent drug and alcohol use, thoughts of suicide and attempts to take her own life before and after she met Wellings.

Jurors heard Ms Dawes had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of Wellings.

She had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships, a condition allegedly exploited by the defendant.

Wellings told jurors he had never intentionally hit her, adding that any injuries she had sustained were the result of him “restraining” her when she attacked him.

Miss Dawes first met Wellings in January 2020 and was “swept off her feet”, her mother had told the court.

Wellings, who had a previous conviction for battering his ex-partner, had Ms Dawes’ name and face tattooed on his body within a week of meeting, and proposed marriage within three months.

But Ms Dawes later said her “fairy tale” turned into a “nightmare” with Wellings, who had a vicious temper and regularly enjoyed cocaine and drink binges.

The abuse was detailed to the jury in hundreds of text messages between them, and from Ms Dawes to her friends.

Described by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC as an “entitled, aggressive bully” and by Ms Dawes’ friends as “horrible” with a jealous streak, the jury heard Wellings did not like being answered back – which “triggers his anger”.

His abuse of Ms Dawes included regular slapping and “ragging” by her hair and threats to use a drill to take out her teeth, and “make her look like Katie Piper” by throwing acid in her face.

He also sponged off her, unable to hold down work, securing and leaving 22 jobs and draining her of money while she worked two jobs.

Wellings claimed £15,000 in Covid loans during lockdown he spent on hotels, £1,800 golf clubs and drugs.

If you or someone you know are having feelings of despair or are emotionally distressed, BBC Action Line has information on organisations that can offer advice and support.