Abusive ex-boyfriend cleared of manslaughter after partner blamed him for her death in suicide note

13 January 2025, 12:24 | Updated: 13 January 2025, 13:48

Abusive ex-boyfriend cleared of manslaughter after partner blamed him for her death in suicide note
Abusive ex-boyfriend cleared of manslaughter after partner blamed him for her death in suicide note. Picture: Lancs Police

By Danielle de Wolfe

A man has been found not guilty of manslaughter of his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend after he was accused of driving her to suicide in a final note before her death.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ryan Wellings, 30, from Bispham in Lancashire, had been accused of the manslaughter of girlfriend Kiena Dawes following a sustained period of domestic abuse.

Dawes had written a suicide note saying "Ryan Wellings killed me" shortly before leaving their nine-month-old daughter with a friend and taking her own life on a railway line on July 22, 2022.

On Monday, Wellings from Bispham, in Lancashire, was found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence towards his partner by the jury.

Just 11 days before her suicide, Ms Dawes suffered a horrific head wound after being attacked by her partner
Just 11 days before her suicide, Ms Dawes suffered a horrific head wound after being attacked by her partner. Picture: Lancashire Constabulary

He had previously denied manslaughter, but became the first defendant to be tried before a jury accused of the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence.

Prosecutors claimed a sustained campaign of abuse had driven the mother to take her own life, with the court hearing how the hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, left a note saying "I was murdered" before her death.

Read more: Nicola Sturgeon ends marriage to former SNP boss Peter Murrell

Read more: Second man charged with helping former soldier Daniel Khalife after he escaped prison

Ex-boyfriend cleared of manslaughter after partner blamed him for her death in suicide note
Ex-boyfriend cleared of manslaughter after partner blamed him for her death in suicide note. Picture: Lancs Police Handout

Ryan Wellings, who was stood in the dock, made no reaction as the verdicts were read out in silence to a packed courtroom.

Miss Dawes sister wept and her mother looked straight ahead as the defendant was cleared of manslaughter.

During the trial, Jurors were shown Kiena’s note, which 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."

Only one other defendant has been convicted in such circumstances before, Nicholas Allen, who admitted before his trial in 2017 the manslaughter of his partner, Justene Reece.

Ms Dawes' suicide note, written on her phone, meant she had named and blamed her killer, "from beyond the grave", Wellings' trial heard.

But he was cleared of her manslaughter and convicted of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour towards Ms Dawes after a six-week trial at Preston Crown Court. Jurors heard Ms Dawes, a hairdresser from Fleetwood in Lancashire, had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of Wellings.

She had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships, a condition allegedly exploited by the defendant.

Bubbly and happy-go-lucky, she had been "swept off her feet" after meeting Wellings, a landscape gardener from Bispham, who had a previous conviction for battering his ex-partner, mother of his twin girls.

Wellings had Ms Dawes' name and face tattooed on his body within a week of meeting, and proposed marriage within three months.

Abusive ex-boyfriend cleared of manslaughter after partner blamed him for her death in suicide note
Abusive ex-boyfriend cleared of manslaughter after partner blamed him for her death in suicide note. Picture: Lancs Police

But Ms Dawes later said her "fairytale" turned into a "nightmare" with Wellings, who had a vicious temper and regularly enjoyed cocaine and drink binges.

The abuse was detailed to the jury in hundreds of text messages between them, and from Ms Dawes to her friends.

From 2020-2023, 723 domestic abuse-related deaths were identified by police in England and Wales, of which 216 were suspected victim suicides, one study found.

Described by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC as an "entitled, aggressive bully" and by Ms Dawes' friends as a "horrible little bastard" with a jealous streak, he did not like being answered back - which, "triggers his anger".

His abuse of Ms Dawes included regular slapping and "ragging" by her hair and threats to use a drill to take out her teeth, and "make her look like Katie Piper" by throwing acid in her face.

He also sponged off her, unable to hold down work, securing and leaving 22 jobs and draining her of money while she worked two jobs.

Wellings claimed £15,000 in Covid loans during lockdown he spent on hotels, £1,800 golf clubs and drugs.

Wellings smiled and blew a kiss to his current girlfriend in the public gallery as he was led away.

The jury also heard phone messages she sent to Wellings in which she accused him of “terrorising” her.

“You’re a head f*** and you know it will ruin me,” she also wrote. "You’re a bully.”

Following the verdict, Judge Altham thanked jurors for their time and excused them from further jury service, should they wish, for the next 15 years.

Wellings will be sentenced on Thursday.

If you or someone you know are feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal, call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A British couple was reportedly found dead by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.

British couple found dead inside 'isolated' French villa in 'feared burglary gone wrong'

Exclusive
Commuter backlash after Network Rail 'erases trains from departure boards' early to 'ease rush'

Commuter backlash after Network Rail 'erases trains from departure boards early' to 'ease passenger rush'

b

Knife arches in schools are welcome - but who is going to pay for them?

James Evans, 19, left, and Justin Keeling (formerly Evans), 18, right, have admitted to starting a massive fire that sparked a mass evacuation.

Two teens admit starting huge fire that 'ripped residents out of homes' during summer riots

Inga Gehricke, five, went missing following a family barbecue in Germany back in 2015.

Police launch fresh search efforts for missing girl linked to prime Madeleine McCann suspect

v

School named after Prince Andrew set to rebrand to something less 'controversial'

The Princess Royal during a visit to Southmead Hospital in Bristol to thank the team of doctors, nurses and health professionals who treated her following her accident in June 2024.

Princess Anne returns to the intensive care unit where she had treatment for head injuries

A utility firm has admitted its equipment started one of the LA fires last month.

California utility says its equipment likely sparked fire that raged through LA

Yusuf Kayat, 54, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for 20 years

Paedophile who plied girl, 10, with alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis before grooming her for sex with other men jailed

Salim Iskef, 29, was one of ten people killed by lone gunman Rickard Andersson, 35, at Orebro's Risbergska adult education centre on Tuesday.

Heartbreaking final words of Sweden mass shooting victim shared with mum and fiancé revealed

Exclusive
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media during a visit to Springfields (Preston Lab), National Nuclear Laboratory.

UK must make it harder to buy knives online to prevent repeat of Southport killings, PM tells LBC

UK resident comes forward to claim £83m EuroMillions jackpot

UK winner comes forward to claim £83.5million EuroMillions jackpot 13 days after draw

Cold Snap Brings Freezing Temperatures To Parts Of UK

Cold health alerts issued as temperatures set to plummet over weekend as the Beast from the East returns

Lucy Letby has been described as 'dangerous, weird and whining' in jail

'Dangerous, weird and whining': Inside Lucy Letby's life behind bars

A British content creator who flew to Spain to buy olive oil has claimed his whole round trip was cheaper than buying a bottle in the UK.

‘I flew to Spain and bought olive oil for under £7.38 - that's how much a bottle costs in Britain'

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Foreign Office expels Russian diplomat in retaliation amid 'spying' row