Thug CLEARED of manslaughter after ex wrote ‘I was murdered’ before taking her own life – but is guilty of abuse
A TWISTED fiance has been cleared of manslaughter after his ex wrote “I was murdered” in a final note before taking her own life but was convicted of abuse.
Kiena Dawes, 23, also said her former partner Ryan Wellings, 30, had “killed me” before she died on a railway track in Lancashire.
The mum had been repeatedly subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour at her ex’s hands.
Wellings violently abused Kiena during their two year relationship – including once telling her: “Hitting you is like hitting a man”.
He also attacked her in front of their baby daughter just 11 days before she ended her own life.
The thug has now been found cleared of manslaughter following a harrowing trial but was convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault.
He was the first person to stand trial accused of the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence.
Preston Crown Court heard the couple had been in an “intense” relationship for two years that was plagued by abuse.
Kiena had been diagnosed with an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, which caused increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships.
Instead of caring for his partner, Wellings, who was previously convicted of battering his ex-girlfriend, exploited her condition – eventually driving the mum to suicide.
He would accuse Kiena of sleeping with other people, branded her a “s**g”, threw a stool at her and told her to kill herself.
On one occasion, Wellings dunked her head in the bath and told her: “Say goodbye to your baby”.
He also said he would “make her look like Katie Piper” by throwing acid in her face and threatened to use a drill to take her teeth out.
On July 21, 2022, Kiena made a decision to leave Wellings after she ended up in hospital following an attack.
She returned home to pack her bags then messaged her mum: “I’m genuinely tortured. I don’t know how I’m going to get over this.
“I know time is a healer but I am seriously haunted by what’s happened. It’s f***ing killing me.”
The following morning, Kiena drove to a friend’s home and let herself in while the pal was in the shower.
She was captured leaving her nine-month-daughter inside along with the heartbreaking note, the court heard.
It read: “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. I didn’t deserve it.
“I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster. Don’t let bullies live free.”
Kiena then apologised to her daughter for having to “let you go” and told how the world had “turned their back on me”.
She said she hoped the baby would be “kept away from the monster who is called her dad”.
The hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, travelled to a country lane and was later struck by a high-speed train.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said Kiena’s own words represented the prosecution case, that her death was caused by Wellings’ actions.
Even after the mum died, the monster showed no remorse – sharing a vile video on Facebook just one hour after he was charged.
Wellings could be seen in a car with sunglasses on as loud music blared in the background.
He said: “I’m driving around with a bottle of Prosecco.
“I have been told off an hour ago on a manslaughter charge. It’s all f****** shit.
“Angela Dawes (Kiena’s mother), you need to take the blame for abandoning your daughter and going to Greece. You are a f****** s**g.”
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
The video was in stark contrast of bodycam footage of Wellings’ crying fake crocodile tears after he was arrested.
He had been detained just 11 days before Kiena’s death after brutally attacking her in front of their baby daughter.
Shocking images released by police showing blood pouring from Kiena’s head on July 11, 2022.
In a haunting 999 call, Kiena can be heard begging for help following the horror.
She tells the operator: “Please, please there’s blood everywhere. Please help me…quick.”
Kiena continues: “I really don’t feel very well…I just need to sit down”.
At one point, the mum reassures her daughter as she tells police she “woke up in the hallway” while her baby was screaming.
She adds: “I’m actually pouring with blood. I’ve just woken up. I was unconscious.
“It’s absolutely pouring down my face, but I don’t know what’s happened. Well, I do know what’s happened, but I don’t know what’s happened to the injury.”
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
When officers arrived at the home, they discovered the mum’s head was bleeding and the bathroom towel rail had been damaged.
Blood was also splattered in the hallway and on a window ledge following the savage attack.
Lancashire Police, whose handling of the Nicola Bulley case was widely criticised, referred themselves to the police watchdog following her death.
The mum had begged them for help and documented her injuries during the abuse campaign.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched a probe into whether officers acted quickly enough following concerns for Kiena’s safety.
It previously announced one officer would face gross misconduct proceedings, with two others accused of misconduct.
Wellings has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.