Kiena’s mum sobs ‘I’m sorry justice hasn’t been done’ after abusive thug cleared of killing her tragic daughter
KIENA Dawes’ mum today sobbed “I’m sorry justice hasn’t been done” after her daughter’s abusive ex was cleared of manslaughter.
Ryan Wellings was accused of driving the 23-year-old to suicide after a two-year campaign of abuse.
Kiena had written “I was murdered” in a tragic note before taking her own life on railway tracks.
The mum also said Wellings, 30, had “killed me” after she was repeatedly subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour.
He was today found not guilty of manslaughter but convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault.
Speaking after the verdict, Kiena’s mum Angela Dawes sobbed as she apologised to her daughter for not securing the more serious conviction.
Read more on the tragedy:
- Ryan Wellings has been CLEARED of manslaughter but convicted of abuse
- Vile video shows Wellings drinking Prosecco after he was charged
- Kiena’s horror injuries have been revealed for the first time
- The mum was captured dropping her baby off before she took her own life
The mum added: “Although a manslaughter conviction has not been achieved today, the conviction of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault clearly demonstrate that the perpetrators of domestic abuse will be held to account and imprisoned for what they have done.
“It cannot bring back my baby girl as this has all happened far too late for her.
“Today was for you Kiena and I’m sorry that your voice has not been fully heard and that justice has not been done the way we all hoped.”
Angela also told how her daughter was a “rare gem” who was “missed so very much every second of every day”.
She said she has been looking after Kiena’s daughter ever since the mum tragically took her own life in July 2022.
Angela added: “I honestly cannot put into words just how much it breaks my heart that her beautiful baby girl 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’s OK, you’re safe now’.”
Wellings violently abused Kiena during their two year relationship – including once telling her: “Hitting you is like hitting a man”.
He also attacked her in front of their baby daughter just 11 days before she ended her own life.
How 'fairytale' romance turned into a nightmare
– January 26 2020 – Kiena is introduced to father-of-two Wellings by her brother and an “intense” relationship begins. He has tattoos of her face and name within a week of meeting.
– February 25 2020 – the first hint of trouble, Kiena sends him a message, saying: “Stop hurting me now xxxx.”
– April 3 2020 – Wellings proposes and Kiena agrees.
– May 3 2020 – The thug becomes jealous and angry and attempts to strangle the mum with an iPhone charger cable, leaving her bruised and badly shaken up.
– May 29 2020 – Wellings accuses Kiena of being unfaithful and throws a stool at her, screaming she is a “slag” and telling her to kill herself. He throws her to the ground and she cuts her foot on broken glass. He later apologises.
– July 20 2020 – Kiena’s father, Russell Dawes, who she is very close to, dies suddenly.
– August 28 2020 – She sends text messages to Wellings saying: “You’ve f****** terrorised me… You’re a bully.”
– Christmas 2020 – The mum tells Wellings she is leaving him. She is “ragged around” by her hair and he demands money from her. Her mother tells her daughter to call police but she makes up with Wellings the next day.
– February 2021 – Kiena becomes pregnant. Wellings begins calling her “fat” and starts talking to prostitutes and escorts online. She has to stop taking medication and her mental health condition deteriorates.
– February 20 2021 – The mum is admitted to a mental hospital for three weeks feeling suicidal. Wellings tells her no one believes her complaints about him due to her mental issues and her unborn child would be taken from her.
– April 17 2021 – Kiena kicks Wellings out of her flat because he was cheating. Wellings threatens to torch her car, updates his Facebook profile to show him sitting in a car, smiling and holding a lighter.
– May 8 2021 – Wellings smashes up the home-made shrine of candles and a photo Kiena had made of her late father. He threatens to flush her father’s ashes down the toilet.
– July 5 2021 – Kiena, six months pregnant, is given a black eye by Wellings. She rang the police but before they arrive he tells her they will take their unborn child off them. When officers arrive she tells them it was just a verbal argument. Wellings apologises and promises not to do it again.
– August 2 2021 – She sends a WhatsApp to Wellings of some of the things he has said to her: “You think your life is hell now, when the baby gets here I’ll make it f****** hell… You’re a fat little b****. Your (family) are dossers. You’ve got a s*** life. No one loves you. Stop f****** crying.”
– August 4 2021 – Kiena calls police for a second time, saying the couple had split but Wellings was trying to take her property from their flat. She tells officers Wellings had assaulted her in the past.
– September 23 2021 – She sends Wellings a message, “You’ve raised your fist to me twice this week… You’ll never change.”
– October 13 2021 – Kiena gives birth to their daughter.
– November 21 2021 – Her mother Angela calls 999 saying Wellings was refusing to leave their flat, with Kiena complaining he was “terrorising” her.
– Christmas 2021 – During a row Wellings turns his cordless drill on and puts it to Kiena’s face, threatening to drill her teeth out.
– January 4 2022 – She calls the National Domestic Abuse Helpline reporting abuse and violence from Wellings.
– March 11 2022 – Kiena is bathing their daughter when Wellings grabs her head and dunks it in the baby bath, threatening to drown her.
– March 15 2022 – The mum makes her first witness statement to police after calling 999, reporting domestic violence. Wellings is arrested on suspicion of assault. However she tells police she does not want to pursue a complaint and takes him back again. Police arrange for a panic alarm to be installed in her flat.
– June 13 2022 – Wellings pushes Kiena over the back of their sofa, grabs and hits her after she answered Wellings back, which “triggers his anger”.
– July 4 2022 – Kiena drives into the back of a car, telling paramedics, she forgot she was on the road and was thinking about taking her own life and that she needs help.
– July 11 2022 – Covered in blood, she calls 999 reporting Wellings had “launched” her into a bathroom radiator knocking it from a wall and slammed a door in her face, knocking her out and cutting her head. She is treated in hospital for her injuries. Wellings is arrested and bailed not to contact Kiena.
– July 17 2022 – Wellings calls Kiena in the early hours of the morning with threats. She reports this to police but it is not treated as a breach of bail, leaving her feeling “unsupported”.
– July 22 2022 – Kiena is killed on a railway line. She had left her daughter with a friend along with a suicide note saying, “Ryan Wellings killed me”.
Kiena had been diagnosed with an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, which caused increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships.
Instead of caring for his partner, Wellings, who was previously convicted of battering his ex-girlfriend, exploited her condition – eventually driving the mum to suicide.
He would accuse Kiena of sleeping with other people, branded her a “s**g”, threw a stool at her and told her to kill herself.
On one occasion, Wellings dunked her head in the bath and told her: “Say goodbye to your baby”.
He also said he would “make her look like Katie Piper” by throwing acid in her face and threatened to use a drill to take her teeth out.
On July 21, 2022, Kiena made a decision to leave Wellings after she ended up in hospital following an attack.
She returned home to pack her bags then messaged her mum: “I’m genuinely tortured. I don’t know how I’m going to get over this.
“I know time is a healer but I am seriously haunted by what’s happened. It’s f***ing killing me.”
The following morning, Kiena drove to a friend’s home and let herself in while the pal was in the shower.
She was captured leaving her nine-month-daughter inside along with the heartbreaking note, the court heard.
It 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.”
Kiena then apologised to her daughter for having to “let you go” and told how the world had “turned their back on me”.
She said she hoped the baby would be “kept away from the monster who is called her dad”.
The hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, travelled to a country lane and was later struck by a high-speed train.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said Kiena’s own words represented the prosecution case, that her death was caused by Wellings’ actions.
Even after the mum died, the monster showed no remorse – sharing a vile video on Facebook just one hour after he was charged.
Wellings could be seen in a car with sunglasses on as loud music blared in the background.
He said: “I’m driving around with a bottle of Prosecco.
“I have been told off an hour ago on a manslaughter charge. It’s all f****** shit.
The video was in stark contrast of bodycam footage of Wellings’ crying fake crocodile tears after he was arrested.
He had been detained just 11 days before Kiena’s death after brutally attacking her in front of their baby daughter.
Shocking images released by police showing blood pouring from Kiena’s head on July 11, 2022.
In a haunting 999 call, Kiena can be heard begging for help following the horror.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
She tells the operator: “Please, please there’s blood everywhere. Please help me…quick.”
Kiena continues: “I really don’t feel very well…I just need to sit down”.
At one point, the mum reassures her daughter as she tells police she “woke up in the hallway” while her baby was screaming.
She adds: “I’m actually pouring with blood. I’ve just woken up. I was unconscious.
“It’s absolutely pouring down my face, but I don’t know what’s happened. Well, I do know what’s happened, but I don’t know what’s happened to the injury.”
When officers arrived at the home, they discovered the mum’s head was bleeding and the bathroom towel rail had been damaged.
Blood was also splattered in the hallway and on a window ledge following the savage attack.
Lancashire Police, whose handling of the Nicola Bulley case was widely criticised, referred themselves to the police watchdog following her death.
The mum had begged them for help and documented her injuries during the abuse campaign.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched a probe into whether officers acted quickly enough following concerns for Kiena’s safety.
It previously announced one officer would face gross misconduct proceedings, with two others accused of misconduct.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Wellings has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.
DCI Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police, said: “Kiena Dawes was a devoted and loving mother who, despite her personal challenges, was determined to give her baby girl the best life she could.
“Ryan Wellings took Kiena’s love and in return launched a concerted campaign of emotional, mental and physical abuse. Over a two-and-a-half-year period, Wellings broke her spirit.
“He isolated Kiena, belittled and abused her, controlled her, subjected her to violence and made her believe that she would never escape him.
“I would like to thank the jury for their considered verdict in what has been an extremely harrowing and complex case. While we and Kiena’s family are disappointed that they didn’t come back with a manslaughter verdict, we are pleased the jury recognised that Wellings was guilty of criminal wrongdoing by the guilty verdicts they did come back with today.
“I want to praise the Dawes’ family for the dignified manner in which they have behaved during this highly emotional trial. Day after day they have sat in court and listened to the truly abhorrent way in which Wellings behaved towards Kiena.
“While lessons will undoubtedly be learned from this case, I want to take this opportunity to appeal directly to anyone who finds themself in an abusive relationship or knows or suspects someone else might be. Please make contact with the authorities or reach out to domestic abuse organisations for help and support.
“Although today’s headlines will understandably be about Ryan Wellings and today’s verdict, I don’t want Kiena, the victim, to get lost or forgotten about. Kiena was a fun-loving, kind and sensitive young woman who had her whole life ahead of her. She was a mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend who died in extremely tragic circumstances.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.