In a deeply troubling case that has captivated public attention, Ryan Wellings, a 30-year-old landscape gardener from Bispham, Lancashire, has been found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behavior. However, he was cleared of the more serious charge of manslaughter concerning the death of his partner, Kiena Dawes, aged 23, who tragically took her own life on July 22, 2022. The verdict, rendered at Preston Crown Court, has sparked significant commentary regarding domestic violence and its far-reaching implications.
The trial revealed a harrowing history of domestic abuse that spanned over two years, during which Ms. Dawes suffered physical and emotional torment at the hands of Wellings. Despite this, jurors ultimately found him not guilty of manslaughter because they concluded that while his behavior contributed to her mental distress, it did not directly lead to her death. Wellings, who was present in the courtroom throughout the proceedings, showed no visible reaction when the verdict was announced, which added to the emotional weight of the moment felt by Ms. Dawes’s family.
Kiena’s sister and mother were deeply affected by the verdict; the emotional toll was evident as Ms. Dawes’s mother looked ahead with a stony expression, while her sister wept quietly. The court learned that Kiena left a note before her death stating, “I was murdered,” propelling the narrative that Wellings had a direct role in her emotional crisis. His defense, however, argued that Kiena had a long history of mental health issues dating back to her teenage years, which complicated the interpretation of events leading up to her tragic end.
Kiena was a hairdresser from Fleetwood, Lancashire, whose initial excitement in her relationship with Wellings quickly dissolved into a nightmare. Her mother had previously warned her to distance herself from Wellings, a man with a prior conviction for violence against another partner. In what began as a whirlwind romance—marked by Wellings tattooing Kiena’s name on his body within days of meeting her and proposing within months—soon morphed into a relationship marred by drug use, jealousy, and increasing violence.
Details of the abuse, elaborated through disturbing texts exchanged between Kiena and her friends, painted Wellings as a controlling figure. He was described as reactive to perceived slights, and his abusive tendencies included physical violence, threats, and manipulation. Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC described Wellings as an “entitled, aggressive bully,” highlighting the misogynistic nature of his actions that degraded Kiena and extended beyond mere physical assaults.
The violence escalated over time, and the cold truth emerged that Kiena was not only a victim of physical abuse but also manipulation that left her feeling trapped. Friends and family attempted to intervene, warning her of the toxic relationship, and after a severe incident that left her requiring hospitalization, Kiena bravely decided to file a police report. Yet, shortly after this courageous act, Wellings breached his bail conditions and was not incarcerated, a fact that left Kiena feeling betrayed by law enforcement just days before her death.
As the dust settles on this tragic case, it is accompanied by questions about how systems that are supposed to protect individuals fail to do so. Disciplinary hearings involving police officers who may have mishandled the situation are pending, compelling a broader look at institutional responses to domestic violence.
The trial has also raised awareness about the nature of emotional and psychological abuse, often hidden yet insidiously damaging. The public outcry following the verdict of not guilty on the manslaughter charge highlights the urgent need for a deeper understanding of coercive control as a form of violence.
As investigations continue into Wellings’s behavior during the trial and his interactions with others, including allegations that family members may have influenced his testimony, the broader conversation surrounding domestic violence, its manifestations, and societal accountability will remain front and center. The tragic story of Kiena Dawes serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of domestic abuse, urging everyone to confront this issue with the seriousness it warrants and to prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals entangled in abusive relationships.
