WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Ryan Wellings was convicted of coercive control after his young fiancée Kiena Dawes took her own life after years of abuse from the thug
11:38, 16 Jan 2025Updated 11:40, 16 Jan 2025
Keina Dawes took her own life in 2022(Image: PA)
“Evil” Ryan Wellings’ new girlfriend has eerily laid flowers for Kiena Dawes, leaving an anguished friend of the brave mum in utter shock. Dawes was tormented for years by her violent fiancé before she heartbreakingly took her own life at just 23.
Before taking her life on July 22, 2022, Kiena, a hairdresser by profession, left a haunting message on her phone, declaring: “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.”
Wellings faced a manslaughter charge that he denied, but was ultimately convicted for his monstrous acts of coercive control and abuse, which drove Kiena into a corner of despair with no escape. During the trial that gripped and horrified many, Emma Croft, bearing a startling resemblance to Kiena with her flowing brown hair, sat in the courthouse steadfastly backing Wellings, aged 30, as he stood before the Preston Crown Court dock.
Ryan Wellings’ girlfriend looks eerily familiar
Post his conviction on Monday, the callous Wellings had the audacity to smile and send a kiss towards Emma as justice caught up with him, while Kiena’s sister was visibly overcome with emotion, breaking down as the guilty verdict echoed in the court.
Kiena’s best friend, Kirsty Brunn, has blasted Emma Croft for laying flowers in memory of Kiena. In a Facebook post, Kirsty raged: “She’s even took flowers for Kiena.” She also slammed Emma’s courtroom demeanour, saying: “The few occasions I was able to be present in the court gallery she acted like she was a celebrity smirking and smiling with pure smugness.”, reports the Mirror.
“Emma Croft and Ryan Wellings are both vindictive weird individuals and deserve to rot together.”
He was cleared of manslaughter(Image: PA)
Wellings denied all charges but was found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022 after a trial at Preston Crown Court. He was found not guilty of manslaughter. Wellings will be sentenced on Thursday (January 16).
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Winstanley said: “I hope these guilty verdicts give [Kiena’s loved ones] some sense justice has been done.
“We will seek to learn any lessons we can from Kiena’s tragic death so that we can continue to deliver on our commitment to the communities of Lancashire that we will put victims of crime and vulnerable people at the heart of everything we do.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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