Justice Served: Man Sentenced for Abuse of Vulnerable Partner
Ryan Wellings, 30, has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for abusing his vulnerable partner, Kiena Dawes, whose tragic death in July 2022 was a result of the psychological and physical abuse she endured. The court heard that Dawes, 23, took her own life on a railway line in Lancashire, leaving a note on her phone in which she accused Wellings of being a "monster and a bully" who had "killed" her.
While Wellings was cleared of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court, he was convicted of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour. The assault charge referred to an incident two weeks before her death when Wellings slammed a door into Dawes' head, knocking her unconscious and leaving her bleeding in front of their infant daughter.
In court, Dawes’ mother, Angela Dawes, read a statement describing the severe impact of Wellings' abuse on his child, who was exposed to the violence. Her brother, Kynan Dawes, also spoke, condemning Wellings, saying: "The world now knows what a monster he is."
Wellings, a landscape gardener from Bispham, Lancashire, had a history of abusive behavior, including prior convictions for violence against an ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors argued that Wellings' coercive abuse "set the scene" for Dawes’ death, causing her significant psychological harm and distress. Over the course of their two-and-a-half-year relationship, Wellings had subjected Dawes to repeated violence, including punching, strangling, and dragging her to the floor. He had also threatened her with an electric drill and acid, among other forms of terrifying abuse.
The defense, however, claimed the relationship was not entirely defined by abuse, asserting there were "good and bad times." Despite this, Judge Robert Altham described Wellings as "a clear danger to any partner" and criticized him for showing "no remorse" for his actions.
In his sentencing, Judge Altham highlighted how Wellings belittled Dawes, disparaging her appearance and making cruel comments about her late father. He also acknowledged that Dawes, with a history of mental illness, was particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
In an emotional statement, Dawes' mother pledged to raise her granddaughter, describing it as "an honor and a privilege." However, she revealed the difficulty of explaining her daughter’s death to the child, who had already asked, "Where’s my mummy?"
Following the sentencing, campaign group Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse called for stronger laws to address coercive control and make it easier to charge manslaughter in cases where domestic abuse leads to suicide. Marie, an advocate for the group, emphasized the need for lawmakers to "sit up and listen" to the growing number of deaths linked to domestic abuse, urging changes to protect future victims.
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