A woman who had finally plucked up the courage to press charges against her abusive boyfriend was shocked when he was released just hours later.
Kiena Dawes even said that she spent longer in hospital than Ryan Wellings spent in the cells after leaving her face pouring with blood. Just 11 days later she took her own life, unable to continue being tortured physically and mentally by the father of her nine-month-old baby girl.
The hairdresser from Fleetwood, Lancashire, was so scared of Wellings that it was only when he brutally assaulted her in front of their baby that she finally backed efforts to prosecute him. She went to police and they took photographs of her injuries, including ones on her face. Even then, police granted Wellings bail and then failed to lock him up when he apparently breached his bail conditions.
Moment pregnant Kiena Dawes sobs to cops after violent fiancé threatens to take baby away
Kiena’s injuries
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Image:
Lancashire Police)
She would write in a message shortly before she killed herself: “I was in hospital longer than he was in the cells.” The 23-year-old left a suicide note naming Wellings as her murderer, and yesterday a jury found him not guilty of manslaughter in an historic case at Preston Crown Court. He was convicted of assault and of coercive and controlling behaviour and will be sentenced on Thursday.
The trial was told Wellings carried out a prolonged campaign of abuse against Kiena before she was found dead on a railway track near Garstang, in Lancashire, in July 2022. She had vanished earlier that day after leaving her daughter with a friend. She suffered multiple injuries when she was struck by a Glasgow-bound train travelling at 110 mph.
Kiena Dawes: Fiancé guilty of coercive behaviour after young mum takes her own life
Her face was covered in blood
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Image:
Lancashire Police)
Kiena showed police her injuries
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Image:
Kynan Dawes / SWNS)
Wellings, 30, from Bispham, Lancashire, who had Kiena’s name tattooed on his neck within a week of meeting her, claimed their relationship was a “loving” one, she had injured herself, and he didn’t accept his conduct caused her death, while her underlying mental health issues may have caused her to take her own life. The jury was shown video clips of Kiena sobbing on her bed after an argument with Wellings while pregnant, when he had threatened her with taking their unborn child off her.
The jury heard the suicide note Kiena left on her phone, which read: “The end. I fought hard, I fought long. went through pain no one could imagine. No one will know what I went through. I was murdered. Slowly. They tortured me, till there was nothing left. I lost my fight but I didn’t give up my battle. I fought till the end. Ryan Wellings killed me.” The note also said, “I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster” and that she wanted her daughter “kept away from the monster who is called her dad”.
Kiena Dawes’ 999 call saw her plead ‘I’m absolutely covered in blood’ after ex’s assault
Wellings cried when he was arrested for manslaughter
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Image:
Police Handout)
Following Wellings conviction, DCI Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police, said: “Kiena Dawes was a devoted and loving mother who, despite her personal challenges, was determined to give her baby girl the best life she could. Ryan Wellings took Kiena’s love and in return launched a concerted campaign of emotional, mental and physical abuse. Over a two-and-a-half-year period, Wellings broke her spirit.
“He isolated Kiena, belittled and abused her, controlled her, subjected her to violence and made her believe that she would never escape him. I would like to thank the jury for their considered verdict in what has been an extremely harrowing and complex case. While we and Kiena’s family are disappointed that they didn’t come back with a manslaughter verdict, we are pleased the jury recognised that Wellings was guilty of criminal wrongdoing by the guilty verdicts they did come back.”
Two women a week killed in UK by current or former partner
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk
If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy.
For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
If you are affected by this story
If you are affected by this story there are many people who would be happy to talk to you:
Samaritans
If you need to talk and don’t know where to turn to, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit the website to find your local branch.
SANEline
If you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health problem, SANEline’s helpline is open between 4.30pm and 10.30pm every day on 0300 304 7000.
Mind
The mental health charity Mind has resources aimed at helping you cope with and plan for a crisis. Visit their website for details on helplines, how to access crisis services and what to do if you’re unable to get help yourself. Support line: 0300 102 1234
*In an emergency, dial 999 for urgent help