The mask slipped for cowardly Ryan Wellings as he blubbed in the back of a police van.
Footage released by Lancashire Police shows the heavily tattooed thug being walked to the van after his arrest over the death of girlfriend Kiena Dawes. After a brief conversation with officers Wellings can be seen sitting in the van where he starts sobbing. The video shows him wiping tears from his eyes as he is told any discussion with officers has to be recorded at the station.
Wellings, 30, was arrested after hairdresser Kiena, 23, took her own life after two years of domestic abuse and violence. She left their eight-month-old daughter with a friend before driving to a nearby railway line in July 2022. Hairdresser Kiena left a suicide note stating “I was murdered” and that Wellings had “killed me”.
Kiena Dawes’ 999 call saw her plead ‘I’m absolutely covered in blood’ after ex’s assault
Ryan Wellings sobs after being arrested
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Police Handout)
Wellings was found not guilty of killing Kiena after denying manslaughter, but was found guilty of assault and guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour towards her.
During a six week trial at Preston Crown Court a jury heard the jury that almost from the beginning of their relationship Wellings repeatedly subjected Kiena to controlling and coercive behaviour, abuse and violence over a prolonged period to “grind” her down.
She had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder – resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships. The court heard Wellings allegedly exploited her mental health condition, and while the condition played a part in her decision to take her own life, so too did his abusive behaviour.
Kiena was just 23 when she died
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Lancashire Police)
Kiena was repeatedly attacked
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Lancashire Police)
Kiena first met Wellings in January 2020 and was “swept off her feet”, the court was told. He had her name and face tattooed on his body within a week and proposed marriage within three months. But Kiena told a friend their relationship was a “fairytale that had turned into a nightmare”. She said she suffered regular violence from Wellings and threats, including using a drill on her teeth and acid to disfigure her.
On the day she died, Kiena left her baby daughter, still in her car seat, at a friend’s house. She then drove to a nearby railway line where she killed herself. She had left her mobile phone alongside the baby with her suicide note.
Kiena Dawes and Ryan Wellings together
Kiena Dawes with her daughter
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Lancashire Police)
It read: “The end. I fought hard, I fought long. I went through pain no one could imagine. No one will know what I went threw. I was murdered. Slowly. They tortured me till there was nothing left. I lost my fight but I didn’t give up my battle. I fought till the end. Ryan Wellings killed me.”
Wellings, a landscape gardener of Bispham, Lancs, will be sentenced on Thursday.
Two women a week killed in UK by current or former partner
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk
If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy.
For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
If you are affected by this story
If you are affected by this story there are many people who would be happy to talk to you:
Samaritans
If you need to talk and don’t know where to turn to, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit the website to find your local branch.
SANEline
If you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health problem, SANEline’s helpline is open between 4.30pm and 10.30pm every day on 0300 304 7000.
Mind
The mental health charity Mind has resources aimed at helping you cope with and plan for a crisis. Visit their website for details on helplines, how to access crisis services and what to do if you’re unable to get help yourself. Support line: 0300 102 1234
*In an emergency, dial 999 for urgent help