Mother of woman who took her own life calls daughter’s attacker ‘monster’

The mother of a woman who took her own life after prolonged domestic violence has described her daughter’s abuser as a “monster”.

In a statement at Preston Crown Court, Angela Dawes told reporters she wished she could bring Kiena Dawes back and tell her “it’s okay, you’re safe now”.

Kiena (23) left a note saying: “Ryan Wellings killed me,” before leaving her nine-month-old daughter with a friend on July 22, 2022, and taking her own life on a railway line.

Wellings, 30, was found guilty of assault and long-term domestic violence against her partner, but was cleared of murder after a six-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

He was the first defendant to stand trial for the unlawful murder of his partner after her suicide as a result of domestic violence.

Speaking on the court steps on Monday, Angela Dawes said: “It is almost impossible to put into words how impactful the loss of Kiena has been.

“Kiena was a rare gem. She brought so much love and kindness to this world, to all who loved her. She was an incredibly beautiful girl and truly the sweetest, kindest and gentlest person I have ever known.

“Kiena is sorely missed, every second of every day. Her daughter was brought to my home a few hours after Kiena was found and since that tragic day she has been under my 24-hour care.

“And I honestly can’t put into words how much it breaks my heart that her beautiful little girl doesn’t have her mother here because of this monster.

“I will never forget the day when three CID officers knocked on my door shortly after I lost Kiena.

“I hope no other young lady or child will have to go through what he did to my daughter and her child. I wish with all my heart that I could bring her back and say, “It’s okay.” You are safe now.”

“While no conviction for murder was handed down today, the convictions for control and coercion and assault make it clear that perpetrators of domestic violence will be held accountable and sent to prison for what they have done.”

Jurors heard that Mrs Dawes, a hairdresser from Fleetwood, Lancashire, suffered violence and harassment from Wellings for two years.

She was diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, resulting in increased impulsivity, low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships, which the accused allegedly exploited.

Kiena attempted to take her own life in the past, before her relationship with Wellings.

Energetic and cheerful, she was “blown away” by her meeting with Wellings, a landscape gardener from Bispham who had a previous conviction for abusing his former partner, the mother of his twin daughters.

Within a week of meeting Wellings had Mrs. Dawes’s name and face tattooed on his body, and within three months he proposed.

However, Ms Dawes later said her “fairy tale” turned into a “nightmare” for Wellings, who had an angry temper and regularly enjoyed cocaine and binge drinking.

Described by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC as an “entitled, aggressive tyrant” and by Mrs Dawes’ friends as a “terrible little bastard” with a tendency to jealousy, he did not like being talked down to.

Ms Dawes’ abuse included regularly hitting and “scraping” her hair and threats to use a drill to pull out her teeth and “make her look like Katie Piper” by throwing acid in her face.

He was unable to keep her job, securing and relinquishing 22 jobs and depriving her of money while she worked two jobs. During lockdown Wellings claimed £15,000 in Covid loans which he spent on hotels, £1,800 golf clubs and drugs.

When she became pregnant, Wellings gave her a black eye and began criticizing her weight, calling her a “fat bitch”, by contacting prostitutes online.

Friends and her mother warned Ms Dawes to “run a mile away” from the “toxic” Wellings, but a pattern developed of breaking up and making up as he justified his behavior.

The police were called more than once, but Wellings threatened Mrs. Dawes that he would have their daughter taken away from them if she told them what was happening, so she refused to help pursue him.

Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC read Mrs Dawes’ suicide note to the jury: ‘It’s over. I fought hard, I fought long. I experienced pain that no one could imagine.

“I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He destroyed every bit of strength I had left. I had dreams. At one point I had a future. That was taken away from me.”

Wellings admitted he was “severe” towards Ms Dawes but tried to claim any injuries she suffered were accidental or a result of his attempts to restrain her.

The latest beating “broke” Mrs. Dawes, requiring hospital treatment. This time she gave a statement to the police and her stalker was arrested.

He subsequently breached bail conditions but was not remanded in custody, leaving Ms Dawes feeling let down by the police. Four days later she took her own life.

Three Lancashire Police officers are facing disciplinary hearings over the matter.

Wellings will be sentenced on Thursday.

Only one other defendant has previously been convicted in such circumstances – Nicholas Allen, who pleaded guilty to the murder of his partner, Justene Reece, before his trial in 2017.

One study found that between 2020 and 2023, police in England and Wales identified 723 domestic violence-related deaths, 216 of which were suspected suicides.