The mother of Kiena Dawes, the young mum who took her life after two years of domestic abuse, said her granddaughter is growing up without her mother ‘because of that momnster’.
Ryan Wellings, 30, has been convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour and ABH following his treatment of Kiena over the course of their relationship. Kiena, a hairdresser, was found dead on a railway near Garstang on July 22, 2022, after leaving a note which said: “Ryan Wellings killed me.”
But the jury at Preston Crown Court cleared Wellings of manslaughter following the six week trial. Surrounded by Kiena’s sister, grandmother and friends, Angela Dawes said justice had not been done for her daughter.
She said: “Its impossible to put into words the impact of losing Kiena on all her family, her baby girl and her friends. Kiena was a rare gem, she brought so much love and kindness into this world into everyone who loved her.
“She was an extremely beautiful girl and was quite truly the sweetest kindest and gentlest person I have ever known. Kiena is missed so very much, every second of every day.
“Her baby girl was brought to my home a few hours after Kiena was found and has been in my full time care ever since that tragic day. I honestly can’t put into words just how much it breaks my heart that her beautiful baby girl doesn’t have her mummy here because of that monster.
Kiena Dawes
“I’ll never forget the day when three CID officers came to my house and told me we had lost Kiena and I simply said: ‘Ryan Wellings killed my baby and I will fight for her justice’.
“I truly hope that no other young lady or child has to go through what he did to my daughter and her baby and I just wish with all my heart I could bring her back and say, ‘its okay, you’re safe now.’
“Although a manslaughter conviction has not been achieved today the case and convictions of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault clearly demonstrate that the perpetrators of domestic abuse will be held to account and imprisoned for what they have done.
“It cannot bring back my baby girl as this has happened all too late for her. I want to sincerely thank the prosecution team who have worked diligently on this case. Today was for you Kiena and I’m sorry that your voice has not been fully heard and that justice has not been done.”
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