A violent bully who subjected his ex-girlfriend to two years of horrendous abuse before she took her own life was branded a ‘clear danger’ to women as he was jailed for six-and-a-half years. Kiena Dawes was just 23 when she left her nine-month-old baby with a friend with a note on her phone saying: ‘I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He ruined every bit of strength I had left. I didn’t deserve it.’.
Image Credit: Metro [Kiena Dawes took her own life after suffering years of abuse Credit: Facebook]
Wellings, 30, was found guilty this week of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour but was cleared of Kiena’s manslaughter. He was the first person to stand trial accused of the unlawful killing of a partner who ended their own life after suffering domestic abuse.
Image Credit: Metro [Undated handout photo issued by Lancashire Police of Ryan Wellings, 30, who has been found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence towards his partner, 23-year-old Kiena Dawes, but cleared of her manslaughter at Preston Crown Court, and is to be sentenced later on Thursday. Dawes had written a suicide note saying, "Ryan Wellings killed me", before leaving their nine-month-old daughter with a friend and taking her own life on a railway line on July 22, 2022. Issue date: Thursday January 16, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Kiena. Photo credit should read: Lancashire Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.]
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the court today that while Wellings was cleared of the charge of Kiena’s manslaughter, his coercive and controlling behaviour ‘set the scene for her death’. ‘Kiena was caused to feel – on many occasions – serious alarm and distress,’ he said.
Image Credit: Metro [Images of Kiena Dawes injuries following the assault by Ryan Wellings on 11th July 2022. Kiena Dawes embargoed police material This media package is embargoed until after conviction. Evidential material (items 2 to 17) CAN NOT be used in the event that Ryan Wellings is acquitted (not guilty verdicts on all counts). However, non-evidential material (items 18 and 19) can be used regardless of the outcome. We would politely request that you do not share it with colleagues from other media outlets. Instead, could you instruct them to contact Lancashire Police press office directly. This will allow us to effectively manage the release of this sensitive material.]
‘This had a substantial effect on her and caused her significant psychological harm.’. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
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video. Up Next. He also pointed out that the case has ‘triggered an important public debate’.
![[Kiena Dawes took her own life after suffering years of abuse Credit: Facebook]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235853736-01c7.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=592)
![[Images of Kiena Dawes injuries following the assault by Ryan Wellings on 11th July 2022. Kiena Dawes embargoed police material This media package is embargoed until after conviction. Evidential material (items 2 to 17) CAN NOT be used in the event that Ryan Wellings is acquitted (not guilty verdicts on all counts). However, non-evidential material (items 18 and 19) can be used regardless of the outcome. We would politely request that you do not share it with colleagues from other media outlets. Instead, could you instruct them to contact Lancashire Police press office directly. This will allow us to effectively manage the release of this sensitive material.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235279444-2571.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
