A man has been cleared of manslaughter after his partner took her own life following two years of domestic abuse.
Kiena Dawes took her own life on July 22, 2022, after being abused and assaulted by Ryan Wellings. The jury at Preston Crown Court found Wellings guilty of coercive control and ABH but said he was not responsible for Kiena’s death.
Kiena, who suffered mental health difficulties including emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) dropped her baby daughter with a friend before taking her own life. She left the tot in her car seat, alongside her mobile phone containing a note in which she said: “Ryan Wellings killed me.”
For six weeks the jury have heard evidence from Kiena’s friends and family, and read messages between the couple which left the jury in no doubt that Wellings had abused Kiena from early in their relationship.
Wellings’ defence said Kiena’s mental health struggles left her vulnerable to suicide and said she had attempted to take her own life on a number of previous occasions – including before she had met Wellings. The prosecution said on the day Kiena died it was Wellings’ abuse that was in the forefront of her mind.
However the jury was not able to find, beyond reasonable doubt that Wellings was guilty of manslaughter and returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.
Kiena’s mum, sister, grandma and friends sat silently in the public gallery as the verdicts were returned. However the emotion was clear on their faces
Wellings also sat silently in the dock, showing no emotion as he has done throughout the trial. However as he was led to custody he smiled and blew a kiss at his girlfriend, who has attended court every day of the trial.
The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, thanked the jury for their consideration and excused the 12 from jury duty for the next 15 years. Wellings has been returned to prison and will be sentenced later this week.
Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter THE COURT FILES and get all the biggest stories from Lancashire’s courts direct to your inbox