Ryan Wellings was convicted of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour towards his fiancée Kiena Dawes, who tragically took her own life in 2022. While cleared of manslaughter, Wellings was sentenced for subjecting Dawes to years of abuse, including physical violence and threats, which deeply impacted her mental health.
For more, read MailOnline'sA thuggish boyfriend who subjected his vulnerable fiancée to years of sickening domestic abuse and brutal beatings - but was cleared of her manslaughter after she killed herself - has today been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
However, he was convicted of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour over a two-year period, with the unrepentant abuser turning and blowing a kiss to his new girlfriend as the verdict was read out, while Ms Dawes' sister burst into tears. 'I am at a loss as to consider what impact him being released from prison will have on other women and children.'
Ryan Wellings was accused of carrying out a two-and-a-half year campaign of domestic abuse which led her to kill herself. But a jury cleared him of manslaughter Thereafter he 'repeatedly assaulted her and abused her,' he said, including inflicting a black eye while she was pregnant with their daughter.
He said that while Wellings had been acquitted of manslaughter, it was clear that the abuse he inflicted had a 'serious effect' on her. In an emotional impact statement read out in court, Ms Dawes' mother said she had been 'robbed' of her daughter She has been caring for the couple's daughter since Kiena's death and revealed that she had 'already asked me where her mother is'.Mrs Dawes said she hoped no woman ever had to go through what Kiena did.
He was arrested on suspicion of assault and bailed on condition he not contact Ms Dawes, directly or indirectly. This all left her feeling, 'unsupported' by police and she was upset that Wellings had not been, 'locked up'. 'But Wellings always found a way to take back control and take her strength away,' the heartbroken mother added.
He thanked police for believing Kiena and for posthumously fulfilling her desire for Wellings to be held responsible for her ordeal.Friends and relatives wept quietly as the statements were read out.Jurors previously heard Ms Dawes, a hairdresser from Fleetwood in Lancashire, had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of Wellings.
Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Boyfriend found not guilty of killing partner who wrote 'I was murdered' in suicide note after abuse Wellings had Ms Dawes' name and face tattooed on his body within a week of meeting, and proposed marriage within three months. After she became pregnant, Wellings gave her a black eye and began criticising her weight, calling her a 'fat little b****' while contacting escorts and prostitutes online.
Speaking during the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Mr Greaney said the offences Wellings had been convicted of were made 'more serious' because they related to domestic violence. It therefore amounted to an 'exceptionally serious' example of coercive and controlling behaviour, the prosecutor said. Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Heartbreaking moment mother dropped her baby off at a friend's house before taking her own life A final battering 'broke' Ms Dawes, leaving her needing hospital treatment. This time she did make a statement to police and her tormentor was arrested.
After her death, jurors heard how Wellings taunted Ms Dawes's family with a video clip - shared during a booze a drugs binge shortly after being charged with manslaughter. Wellings replied: 'I did not know what I was doing. I know I did wrong and did some stupid things. That's me hurting. Being blamed for killing my kid's mum, the woman I loved.'The young mother was found dead by British Transport Police on the railway line near Barnacre on July 2
'Kiena was a rare gem, she brought so much love and kindness to this world and to everyone that loved her. 'I will 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'. Before the jury was brought back into court on the first day back after Christmas during the six-week trial, Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, told the trial judge, the Honorary Recorder of Preston Robert Altham, that there had been 'developments' during the break.
'The assessment of the prosecution is that the defendant has misconducted himself, as has Lisa Green and Emma Croft.'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.' Advertisement 'I just wish with all my heart that I could bring her back and say 'It's OK, you are safe now'.
But during his trial, defence counsel John Jones KC told Preston Crown Court Ms Dawes's suicide was not caused 'in any significant degree' by his client. Mr Jones said on 'four if not five' occasions, Ms Dawes had made 'clear and determined' suicide attempts, and that at least three of those were before she ever met Wellings.
'While lessons will undoubtedly be learned from this case, I want to take this opportunity to appeal directly to anyone who finds themself in an abusive relationship or knows or suspects someone else might be. Please make contact with the authorities or reach out to domestic abuse organisations for help and support. You are not alone and there is help out there for you.
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.
As grows into a young lady herself, she 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. Another example is that has already asked me where her mummy is. I have found it impossible to answer that question, along with the simplest of questions like what calls me. I know that I am her grandma, but simply contemplating explaining this to her is impossible.
DOMESTIC ABUSE MANIFESTO SUICIDE SENTENCING TRIAL
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