Abusive boyfriend Ryan Wellings cleared of killing Kiena Dawes – but guilty of assault and coercive control

Preston: A man named Ryan Wellings has been cleared of manslaughter after his partner, Kiena Dawes, tragically took her own life. This heartbreaking situation unfolded after two years of domestic abuse.

Kiena, who had been struggling with mental health issues, ended her life on July 22, 2022. The jury at Preston Crown Court found Wellings guilty of coercive control and actual bodily harm but decided he wasn’t responsible for her death.

Before her death, Kiena left her baby daughter with a friend and took her own life, leaving behind a note on her phone that said, “Ryan Wellings killed me.” It’s just so sad to think about what she went through.

During the trial, the jury listened to testimonies from Kiena’s family and friends. They also read messages exchanged between the couple, which clearly showed that Wellings had been abusive from the start of their relationship.

Wellings’ defense argued that Kiena’s mental health issues made her vulnerable to suicide, pointing out that she had attempted it before meeting him. But the prosecution insisted that on the day she died, it was Wellings’ abuse that weighed heavily on her mind.

In the end, the jury couldn’t find enough evidence to convict Wellings of manslaughter, leading to a not guilty verdict. Kiena’s family watched in silence as the verdicts were read, their emotions evident on their faces.

Wellings, who showed no emotion during the trial, smiled and blew a kiss to his girlfriend as he was taken back into custody. It’s hard to believe he could act that way after everything.

Judge Robert Altham thanked the jury for their hard work and excused them from duty for the next 15 years. Wellings will be sentenced later this week, and it’s a situation that leaves many questions unanswered.

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