Ryan Wellings has been jailed for six and a half years for the assault and abuse of Kiena Dawes.
Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham passed sentence at Preston Crown Court today.
Wellings, 30, was cleared of manslaughter following a six-week trial. However the jury found him guilty of domestic abuse over a two-year period before Kiena’s death by suicide in July 2022.
Kiena met Wellings through her brother in January 2020 and a their relationship developed quickly. Within a week, Wellings had Kiena’s name and face tattooed on his neck and leg. Three months later he proposed to her on a beach in Dorset.
But a month later Wellings assaulted her in a jealous rage. The same year he dragged her by her hair and demanded money from her. A pregnant Kiena also suffered a black eye when at the hands of her abusive partner.
He told Kiena her child would be taken away from her if she reported his abuse and used her mental health struggles against her. On July 11, 2022, he slammed a door into her head causing her to black out in the hallway of their flat in Fleetwood. Eleven days later, Kiena dropped her daughter off with a friend and ended her life on a railway line near Garstang.
Kiena Dawes
The court today (Januarty 16) heard a statement from Kiena’s mum, Angela Dawes. She said: “I have found it almost impossible to put into words just how big of an impact losing Kiena has been. On all her family, her beautiful baby girl and all her friends.
“Kiena was a rare gem. She brought so much love and kindness to this world and to everyone who loved her, she was an extremely beautiful girl, and was quite truly the sweetest kindest and gentlest person I have ever known.
“Kiena is missed so much every second of every day. Her baby girl was brought to my home a few hours after Kiena was found, and has been in my full time care ever since that tragic day, and I honestly cannot put into words just how much it breaks my heart that her beautiful baby doesn’t have her Mummy here because of that monster.
“I’ll never forget the day when three CID officers came to my house shortly after I lost Kiena. And I simply said ‘Ryan Wellings killed my baby’ and I will fight for her justice.
“I truly hope that no other young lady or child has to go through what he did to my daughter and her baby. I just wish with all my heart that I could bring her back and say “It is okay, you’re safe now”.
More to follow.
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