Kiena Dawes: Man Cleared of Manslaughter but Found Guilty of Manslaughter
During a six-week trial at Preston Crown Court, Ryan Wellings, 30, stood accused of driving his 23-year-old girlfriend, Kiena , to her death through two years of alleged domestic abuse and violence. The jury found Wellings guilty of assault and controlling and coercive behavior but cleared him of manslaughter.
A Tragic End
On 22 July 2022, shortly after leaving a note on her phone blaming Wellings for her death, Ms. Dawes took her own life had left her nine-month-old daughter with a friend. The prosecution, led by Paul Greaney KC, highlighted the suicide note during closing arguments.
Wellings showed no reaction as the verdicts were read. Ms. Dawes’ family members reacted emotionally, with her sister weeping and her mother staring straight ahead as Wellings was acquitted of manslaughter.
A Mother’s Grief
Outside the court, Angela Dawes, Kiena’s mother, described her daughter as a “rare gem” who is “missed so very much.” Kiena expressed heartbreak over her granddaughter growing up without her mother due to Wellings’ actions. Angela stated, “I truly hope that no other young lady or child has to go through what he did to my daughter and her baby.
Details of the Abuse
Lancashire Police released a statement detailing the abuse Kiena suffered. In May 2020, a month after moving in together, Wellings allegedly attempted to strangle Ms. Dawes with an iPhone charger during a jealous rage. Despite a brief period of improved behavior after the birth of their child, Wellings resumed physical abuse, with incidents escalating in severity.
Among the documented abuses, Wellings threatened to “drill [her] teeth out, dunked her head in a baby bath, and assaulted her when Dawes asked him not to use her late father’s aftershave. Police records also indicate he attacked her so severely in July 2022 that she was left unconscious.
The “Fairytale” Turned Nightmare
Initially, Ms. Dawes believed she had found her “fairytale” with Wellings, who proposed marriage within three months of their meeting. However, the relationship quickly became a nightmare. Wellings’ history of violence included a prior conviction for battering an ex-partner.
Ms. Dawes’ friends and family warned her about Wellings’ toxic behavior, but the couple continued a cycle of breaking up and reconciling. Wellings downplayed his violence, often excusing it as “only a slap.”
The Suicide Note
In her suicide note, read by Mr. Greaney to the jurors, Ms. Dawes wrote: “The end. I fought hard, I fought long. I went through pain no one could imagine. I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He ruined every bit of strength I had left.”
Wellings denied being a “monster,” claiming the allegations were exaggerated or untrue, though he admitted to being “heavy-handed.”
Final Violent Episode
The final violent episode left Ms. Dawes needing hospital treatment. Following this, she made a police statement, leading to Wellings’ arrest. However, after breaching bail conditions, Wellings was not detained, leaving Ms. Dawes feeling abandoned by law enforcement. Four days later, she ended her life.
Disciplinary Actions and Sentencing
Three Lancashire Police officers now face disciplinary hearings for their handling of the case. Ms. Kiena was described during the trial as a “very troubled young lady” whose decision to end her life was attributed to multiple factors, not solely Wellings’ actions.
Wellings is scheduled for sentencing on Thursday, 16 January.
Support for Those in Distress
For those feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal, help is available. In the UK, contact Samaritans at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. In the US, call 1 (800) 273-TALK.
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