10 times Kiena Dawes desperately tried to escape monster fiance Ryan Wellings
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Young mum Kiena Dawes tragically said goodbye to her little girl for the last time before taking her own life after a campaign of abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. The 23-year-old suffered two years of torment from fiance Ryan Wellings - who regularly flew into cocaine-fuelled fits of rage - leaving a broken Kiena fearing for her life. His campaign of terror saw the mum-of-one seek help on several occasions, however it is only now that the true extent of her torment has been laid bare after a court found Wellings guilty of assault, coercive behaviour and prolonged domestic violence following her suicide.
The hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, left a note with her daughter when she dropped her off at a friend's house on July 22, 2022, declaring that Wellings was responsible for her "murder". However, following a six-week trial at Preston Crown Court, Wellings was cleared of her manslaughter.
Kiena's body was found by police near Barnacre. Her death came 11 days after one final assault by her landscape gardener partner, that left a bloody gash on her head. The jury read hundreds of distressing text messages sent between the couple. Wellings, 30, was described by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC as an "entitled, aggressive bully" and by Ms Dawes' friends as a "horrible little b*****d" with a jealous streak. They said he 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. He threatened to "make her look like Katie Piper" by throwing acid in her face. He also sponged cash off her, securing and leaving 22 jobs and draining her of money while she worked two jobs.
