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Abusive man cleared of partner's manslaughter Abusive man cleared of partner's manslaughter
(32 minutes later)
Ryan Wellings was found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviourRyan Wellings was found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour
The former partner of a young mother who took her own life has been found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence but cleared of her manslaughter. The boyfriend of a young mother who took her own life has been found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence but cleared of her manslaughter.
Ryan Wellings, from Bispham in Lancashire, became the first defendant to be tried before a jury accused of the unlawful killing of Kiena Dawes after she took her own life following domestic violence. Ryan Wellings, from Bispham in Lancashire, became the first defendant to be tried before a jury accused of the unlawful killing of his partner after Kiena Dawes, 23, took her own life following domestic violence.
The 30-year-old landscape gardener, was found not guilty of manslaughter and guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022 after a trial at Preston Crown Court.The 30-year-old landscape gardener, was found not guilty of manslaughter and guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022 after a trial at Preston Crown Court.
Wellings, who had denied all charges, made no reaction as the verdicts were read out.Wellings, who had denied all charges, made no reaction as the verdicts were read out.
Jurors heard Kiena Dawes had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of WellingsJurors heard Kiena Dawes had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of Wellings
Warning: This article contains distressing images and contentWarning: This article contains distressing images and content
Miss Dawes' sister wept and her mother looked straight ahead as the defendant was cleared of manslaughter. Ms Dawes' sister wept and her mother looked straight ahead as the defendant was cleared of manslaughter.
Wellings, who will be sentenced at a later date on the charges for which he was convicted, smiled and blew a kiss to his current girlfriend in the public gallery as he was led away. Wellings, who will be sentenced on 16 January, smiled and blew a kiss to his current girlfriend in the public gallery as he was led away.
During the trial the jury heard Ms Dawes, a 23-year-old hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, left a note saying "I was murdered" and that Wellings had "killed [her]" before taking her own life on 22 July 2022. During the trial the jury heard Ms Dawes, a hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, left a note saying "I was murdered" and that Wellings had "killed [her]" before taking her own life on 22 July 2022.
The defence said her medical records showed she had a history of mental health problems starting from the age of 13, frequent drug and alcohol use, thoughts of suicide and attempts to take her own life before and after she met Wellings.The defence said her medical records showed she had a history of mental health problems starting from the age of 13, frequent drug and alcohol use, thoughts of suicide and attempts to take her own life before and after she met Wellings.
Jurors heard Ms Dawes had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of Wellings.Jurors heard Ms Dawes had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of Wellings.
She had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships, a condition allegedly exploited by the defendant.She had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships, a condition allegedly exploited by the defendant.
Wellings told jurors he had never intentionally hit her, adding that any injuries she had sustained were the result of him "restraining" her when she attacked him.Wellings told jurors he had never intentionally hit her, adding that any injuries she had sustained were the result of him "restraining" her when she attacked him.
'Fairy tale turned nightmare''Fairy tale turned nightmare'
Miss Dawes first met Wellings in January 2020 and was "swept off her feet", her mother had told the court. Ms Dawes first met Wellings in January 2020 and was "swept off her feet", her mother had told the court.
Wellings, who had a previous conviction for battering his ex-partner, had Ms Dawes' name and face tattooed on his body within a week of meeting, and proposed marriage within three months. Wellings, who also had a previous conviction for battering a previous partner, had Ms Dawes' name and face tattooed on his body within a week of meeting, and proposed marriage within three months.
But Ms Dawes later said her "fairy tale" turned into a "nightmare" with Wellings, who had a vicious temper and regularly enjoyed cocaine and drink binges.But Ms Dawes later said her "fairy tale" turned into a "nightmare" with Wellings, who had a vicious temper and regularly enjoyed cocaine and drink binges.
The abuse was detailed to the jury in hundreds of text messages between them, and from Ms Dawes to her friends.The abuse was detailed to the jury in hundreds of text messages between them, and from Ms Dawes to her friends.
Wellings told jurors he had never intentionally hit her, adding that any injuries Ms Dawes had sustained were the result of him "restraining" herWellings told jurors he had never intentionally hit her, adding that any injuries Ms Dawes had sustained were the result of him "restraining" her
Described by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC as an "entitled, aggressive bully" and by Ms Dawes' friends as "horrible" with a jealous streak, the jury heard Wellings did not like being answered back - which "triggers his anger".Described by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC as an "entitled, aggressive bully" and by Ms Dawes' friends as "horrible" with a jealous streak, the jury heard Wellings did not like being answered back - which "triggers his anger".
His abuse of Ms Dawes included regular slapping and pulling her hair, and threats to use a drill to take out her teeth, and "make her look like Katie Piper" by throwing acid in her face.His abuse of Ms Dawes included regular slapping and pulling her hair, and threats to use a drill to take out her teeth, and "make her look like Katie Piper" by throwing acid in her face.
He was unable to hold down work, securing and leaving 22 jobs and draining her of money while she worked two jobs.He was unable to hold down work, securing and leaving 22 jobs and draining her of money while she worked two jobs.
Wellings claimed £15,000 in Covid loans during lockdown he spent on hotels, £1,800 golf clubs and drugs.Wellings claimed £15,000 in Covid loans during lockdown he spent on hotels, £1,800 golf clubs and drugs.
Ms Dawes's mother warned her to "run a mile" from Wellings
After she became pregnant, Wellings gave Ms Dawes a black eye and began criticising her weight while contacting escorts and prostitute online, the jury heard.
Friends and her mother, Angela Dawes, warned her to "run a mile" from "toxic" Wellings.
More than once police were called, but Wellings threatened Ms Dawes that she would have their daughter taken off them if she told them what was happening, so she declined to help prosecute him.
Wellings told jurors "I'm not a monster", but did admit getting "heavy handed" with her.
A final battering "broke" Ms Dawes, leaving her needing hospital treatment. This time she did make a statement to police and her tormentor was arrested, but broke his bail conditions but was not locked up, leaving her feeling let down by police.
Four days later she took her own life.
Three Lancashire Police officers face disciplinary hearings.
After the trial, it emerged that the mother and girlfriend of Wellings were both under police investigation for allegedly "coaching" him to give evidence.
Before the jury was brought back into court on the first day back after Christmas during the six-week trial, Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, told the trial judge, the Honorary Recorder of Preston Robert Altham, that Wellings had repeatedly discussed the content and nature of the evidence with them, despite not legally being allowed to discuss his case with them.
If you or someone you know are having feelings of despair or are emotionally distressed, BBC Action Line has information on organisations that can offer advice and support.If you or someone you know are having feelings of despair or are emotionally distressed, BBC Action Line has information on organisations that can offer advice and support.