A young mum who took her own life after she was repeatedly abused by the father of her baby revealed when she was first attacked in a heartbreaking account from beyond the grave.
Kiena Dawes was just 23 when she drove to a railway station and took her own life, believing she had no other option and naming her ex Ryan Wellings as her “murderer” in a heartbreaking suicide note. Wellings faced charges of manslaughter, assault and coercive control during a trial at Preston Crown Court and was yesterday cleared of her killing but found guilty of all other charges.
Now a letter she wrote to herself on her phone have revealed how the pair began their relationship – and the first time Wellings raised his hands to her. It read: “In the beginning everything was perfect he came across as an amazing person. As things went on things became slightly controlling. In the first week he had my name and my face tattooed on his head and leg. He also wanted me to have his name to feel special which I did. In the early stages I thought this was nice act.
“The first time he hit me physically he accused me of sleeping with his friend. He threw a foot stool at me and threw me into glass on the floor. The second time he hit me, I had tried to leave him and he demanded the money I had in my account which at the time we shared. He pulled me by my hair and threw me to the floor. There was a big gap in each of these like four months in between.”
Kiena also wrote about their decision to have a child – and how he abused her while pregnant. “We decided to have a baby and when I got pregnant he became very emotionally abusive. I have a personality disorder therefore I have been sectioned twice in the past before I became stable and on medication. He uses this against me a lot. In arguments he would tell me no one would believe me as I’m crazy and I make it up.
“He told me when I was pregnant I would never have anyone else. I was fatter so he didn’t like me as much. He gave me a black eye when I was pregnant and hit me to the floor. When this happened he tried to say to family etc it was self defence as I am insane. I rang the police and he put on a good act and made me swear I wouldn’t tell them what he did. After this he emptied my home took my TVs etc so I didn’t have things that he had bought.
“The emotional abuse got a lot worse throughout the pregnancy as he know I couldn’t go anywhere else and would stay with him. He then began becoming unfaithful speaking to other women on social media etc. When I found out about this he said it’s all my fault because of my hormones etc. He made me believe I was the one in the wrong.
“I ended up back in hospital as I felt I was losing my mind and he told me I was. Then when I came out of hospital he carried on being unfaithful and emotionally abusive. I have told him I feel like I am a victim of domestic violence and of course he thinks I am insane. I get what I deserve.”
The jury was shown video from a police officer’s bodycamera of Kiena after one of the attacks while she was pregnant. The distressing clip shows Kiena fearful that Wellings would get her daughter taken away from her due to her mental health condition.
Wellings will be sentenced on Thursday.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk
If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy.
For more info visitwww.aafda.org.uk
If you are affected by this story there are many people who would be happy to talk to you:
Samaritans
If you need to talk and don’t know where to turn to, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit the website to find your local branch.
SANEline
If you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health problem, SANEline’s helpline is open between 4.30pm and 10.30pm every day on 0300 304 7000.
Mind
The mental health charity Mind has resources aimed at helping you cope with and plan for a crisis. Visit their website for details on helplines, how to access crisis services and what to do if you’re unable to get help yourself. Support line: 0300 102 1234
*In an emergency, dial 999 for urgent help
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