A TWISTED fiance has been cleared of manslaughter after his ex wrote “I was murdered” in a final note before taking her own life – but was convicted of abuse.
Kiena Dawes, 23, also said her former partner Ryan Wellings, 30, had “killed me” before she died on a railway track in Lancashire.
The mum had been repeatedly subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour at her ex’s hands.
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.
The thug has now been cleared of manslaughter following a harrowing trial but was convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault.
Read more on the tragedy:
- 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
He was the first person to stand trial accused of the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence.
Wellings showed no emotion as he was convicted but smiled and blew a kiss at his new girlfriend as he was led away.
Preston Crown Court heard the couple had been in an “intense” relationship for two years that was plagued by abuse.
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”.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Moment Prosecco-guzzling fiance sings about charge after abused ex ended life” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366814221112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]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***ing s**t.
“(Kiena’s mother), you need to take the blame for abandoning your daughter and going to Greece. You are a f***ing s**g.”
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.
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.
Wellings has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.
