A man has been found guilty of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour following a “campaign of abuse” before his former fiancée took her own life. Ryan Wellings, 30, went on trial accused of the manslaughter of Kiena Dawes after she left a suicide note naming him as her killer. The 23-year-old was a mother to a nine-month-old baby girl. Wellings was told by a jury at Preston Crown Court on Monday that he was not guilty of killing her after denying manslaughter. However, as reported by the Mirror, he was found guilty of assault and guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour towards Kiena.
The trial revealed that Wellings carried out a prolonged campaign of abuse before Kiena was found dead on a railway track near Garstang, in Lancashire, in July 2022. Kiena, a hairdresser from Fleetwood, had vanished earlier that day after leaving her daughter with a friend along with a suicide note on her mobile phone which stated she had been “murdered” by Wellings. When the verdicts were read, Wellings, wearing a dark suit and tie, smiled and gave the thumbs up to his family, as well as blowing them a kiss.
Kiena’s suicide note described the torture she endured, stating, “Ryan Wellings killed me,” and expressing her desire to protect her daughter from him. The prosecution argued that Wellings’ abusive behaviour towards Kiena played a significant role in her decision to end her life. The court heard about multiple incidents of abuse, including physical assaults and controlling behaviour. Wellings is set to be sentenced on Thursday.
Expressing relief at the guilty verdict, the prosecution highlighted the impact of Wellings’ abusive conduct on Kiena, emphasizing the need to hold perpetrators of coercive behaviour accountable. The case sheds light on the devastating consequences of domestic abuse and the importance of recognising signs of coercive behaviour early on to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
In summary, the case of Kiena Dawes highlights the insidious nature of coercive behaviour and its lasting impact on victims. The guilty verdict against Ryan Wellings serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing domestic abuse and providing support to individuals facing such situations. It is crucial to raise awareness about coercive control and empower victims to speak out and seek help before it is too late.