The mum of abuse victim Kiena Dawes, who took her own life to escape a horrific campaign of abuse by her partner Ryan Wellings, has revealed how the tragedy has devastated her young granddaughter.
The little girl is struggling to deal with the loss, Angela Dawes revealed in a victim impact statement as Wellings awaited sentence, saying: “Her daughter has already asked me where her Mummy is. I have found it impossible to answer that question.”
Wellings, 30, was found guilty of assault and coercive control after being cleared of 23-year-old Kiena’s manslaughter. Angela has been caring for Kiena’s baby daughter since a few hours after she was found dead on a railway line.
Describing her daughter as a “rare gem”, Angela told the court: “I have found it almost impossible to put into words just how big of an impact losing Kiena has been. On all her family, her beautiful baby girl and all her friends. Kiena was a rare gem.
“She brought so much love and kindness to this world and to everyone who loved her, she was an extremely beautiful girl, and was quite truly the sweetest kindest and gentlest person I have ever known. Kiena is missed so much every second of every day.
“Her baby girl was brought to my home a few hours after Kiena was found, and has been in my full time care ever since that tragic day, and I honestly cannot put into words just how much it breaks my heart that her beautiful baby doesn’t have her Mummy here because of that monster.
“I’ll never forget the day when three CID officers came to my house shortly after I lost Kiena. And I simply said “Ryan Wellings killed my baby” and I will fight for her justice. I truly hope that no other young lady or child has to go through what he did to my daughter and her baby. I just wish with all my heart that I could bring her back and say ‘It is okay, you’re safe now.”
She added: “I have been robbed of watching my daughter live her life, and her baby girl have her Mummy. As her daughter grows into a young lady herself, she has been robbed herself of a Mum to go to, or when she has children herself, her own mother to turn to, but I will step into this role for Kiena. I will never be able to live a normal life due to the coercive and controlling behaviour and assaults that Kiena suffered.
“I am worried about the long-term impact of that on her daughter and me through a period of getting her used to men again after she came into my care. I truly believe that a baby should feel safe in their own home, and that this abuse will be life-long lasting for her daughter, as much as her Mummy tried to keep her safe. Her daughter has already asked me where her Mummy is. I have found it impossible to answer that question.”
Follow updates from the sentencing of Wellings here
Wellings went on trial accused of the manslaughter of Kiena after she left a suicide note naming him as her killer. The mother of a nine-month-old baby girl then lay on railway tracks where she was struck and killed by a train.
On Monday, Wellings was told by a jury at Preston Crown Court he was not guilty of killing her after denying manslaughter, but was found guilty of assault and guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour towards Kiena. During the sentencing hearing today the prosecutor said “Ryan Wellings represents a clear and present danger to intimate partners.”
The trial was told he carried out a prolonged campaign of abuse before she was found dead on a railway track near Garstang, in Lancashire, in July 2022. The hairdresser, from Fleetwood, had vanished earlier that day after leaving her daughter with a friend along with a suicide note on her mobile phone which said she’d been “murdered” by Wellings. She suffered multiple injuries when she was struck by a Glasgow-bound train travelling at 110 mph.
Wellings, from Bispham, Lancashire, who had Kiena’s name tattooed on his neck within a week of meeting her, claimed their relationship was a “loving” one, she had injured herself, and he didn’t accept his conduct caused her death, while her underlying mental health issues may have caused her to take her own life. Upsetting footage of her sobbing while pregnant after being attacked by Wellings was also released.
His abuse was a “significant factor” in Kiena’s decision to take her own life, it’s claimed, with Welling’s last attack coming just 11 days before she died. The jury heard about a suicide note Kiena left on her phone, which read: “The end. I fought hard, I fought long. went through pain no one could imagine. No one will know what I went through.
“I was murdered. Slowly. They tortured me, till there was nothing left. I lost my fight but I didn’t give up my battle. I fought till the end. Ryan Wellings killed me.” The note also said, “I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster” and that she wanted her daughter “kept away from the monster who is called her dad”.
Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, told the jury: “The predominant thrust of what Kiena was saying in her suicide note was that Ryan Wellings, the defendant in this trial, was responsible for her death. “Kiena’s own words, ‘Ryan Wellings killed me’ represent the prosecution’s case, namely that the death of Kiena Dawes was caused by the unlawful acts of Ryan Wellings and that he is therefore guilty of her manslaughter.”
He said that the suicide note was a “significant piece of evidence” but it wasn’t the sole or even principal basis of the prosecution’s case as Wellings had subjected her to controlling and coercive behaviour and had treated her in an “abusive way” and repeatedly physically assaulted her.
When the verdicts were read on Monday, Wellings, wearing a dark suit and tie, smiled and gave the thumbs up to his family. He also blew a kiss to his new girlfriend Emma Croft, who supported him throughout the trial.
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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