The mum and girlfriend Ryan Wellings are both under police investigation for allegedly “coaching” him on how to give evidence.
Wellings was found not guilty on Monday of the manslaughter of girlfriend Kiena Dawes, but he was convicted of assault and coercive control. After the verdict was delivered he turned and blew a kiss to his new girlfriend Emma Croft, sat in the public gallery with his family.
The trial lasted six weeks – with a break over the Christmas holidays. Before the jury was brought back into court on the first day back after Christmas, Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, told the trial judge, the Honorary Recorder of Preston Robert Altham, that there had been “developments”.
Wellings, being held at HMP Preston, was in the middle of giving evidence – and while entitled to speak to family and friends, he was not legally allowed to discuss his case with them. It emerged the prosecution had been told about “calls” between the defendant and his mother, Lisa Green, and his girlfriend.
Mr Greaney told the court: “He has repeatedly discussed the content and nature of the evidence with Emma Croft and Lisa Green, during giving evidence and over the Christmas period. The assessment of the prosecution is that the defendant has misconducted himself, as has Lisa Green and Emma Croft.
“What has occurred here is effectively a scheme to coach the defendant in the evidence he’s giving. There’s going to be an investigation into this by the police because, on the face of it, there’s been a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.”
Judge Altham said: “At the moment, there’s a prima facie that there’s been discussion between the defendant and Emma Croft and Lisa Green, which may have been improper.” He banned both from entering court until verdicts were returned and only if they agreed to hand over their phones.
“There’s going to be an investigation into this by the police because, on the face of it, there’s been a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.”
Mr Greaney told the court the development created “complications and distractions” and he did not intend to ask Wellings about the matter before the jury. But if his defence wanted to call the defendant’s mother or girlfriend to give evidence for him – then Mr Greaney said he would be entitled to ask them to account for their actions. Neither were called as defence witnesses.
Judge Altham said: “At the moment, there’s a prima facie that there’s been discussion between the defendant and Emma Croft and Lisa Green, which may have been improper.” Judge Altham banned both from entering court until verdicts were returned and only if they agreed to hand over their phones.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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 visit www.aafda.org.uk
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