Lancashire man found not guilty of manslaughter, after partner took her own life

Ryan Wellings from Bispham was accused of leading Kiena Dawes to suicide

Author: Louisa KingPublished 13th Jan 2025
Last updated 13th Jan 2025

Ryan Wellings, who was accused of the manslaughter of his ex-partner after she took her own life, has been found NOT guilty.

But on charges of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, he was found GUILTY.

The 30 year old from Bispham had been blamed for causing the death of Kiena Dawes, 23, following an allegedly abusive two year relationship.

The hairdresser from Fleetwood, wrote in a suicide note: "I was murdered", and that Wellings had "killed me".

Shortly after writing the note on her phone, she left it alongside their eight-month-old daughter with a friend before taking her own life on July 22 2022, after two years of alleged domestic abuse and violence.

The trial, which lasted for seven weeks, heard that almost from the beginning of their relationship, Wellings had allegedly repeatedly subjected Ms Dawes to controlling and coercive behaviour, abuse and violence over a prolonged period to "grind" her down.

Miss Dawes first met Wellings in January 2020, and had her name and face tattooed on his body within a week and proposed marriage within three months.

Kiena had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder - resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships, jurors heard.

Lawyers defending Wellings called medical evidence, detailing Miss Dawes' medical notes and mental health history, citing problems from the age of 13, with frequent visits to hospital, drug and alcohol use, thoughts of suicide and attempts at taking her own life before and after she met Wellings.

Wellings, a landscape gardener had denied the manslaughter of Miss Dawes and also denied assault and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022.

The Samaritans are available anytime on 116 123.

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