A man conducted a “campaign of abuse” that led to a mum taking her own life after being struck by a Glasgow bound train, a jury has heard.
Kiena Dawes 23, vanished in July 2022 after leaving her nine-month-old daughter with a friend in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Relatives raised the alarm after the young mum failed to return.
She drove 17 miles and parked near a railway line. Preston Crown Court heard how the mother-of-one lay down on the tracks before being struck and killed by the train, reports the Mirror.
Her ex-fiancé Ryan Wellings, 30, has gone on trial accused of her manslaughter after Kiena left a suicide note saying he “killed” her.
The prosecution allege that Wellings took advantage of her mental health problems and subjected her to controlling and coercive behaviour and was violent and abusive towards her.
This 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 her tragic death.
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.”
The prosecutor continued, by saying 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.
Mr Greaney stated Kiena had a personality disorder that can result in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulties in relationships and Wellings “exploited this vulnerability”.
The jury heard about a series of incidents in which Wellings is alleged to have abused Kiena, some of which she made notes about on her phone.
The couple had first met in January 2020 and Mr Greaney told the jury that Welling’s abuse had started early in their relationship and there was “pattern” in which he behaved in an “aggressive and violent” way towards her and “then apologised and showered her with affection”.
They pair lived together for a time in Dorset when, it’s claimed, Wellings had tried to “strangle” her with an iPhone charger and, in another incident, thrown a stool at her and hurled her to the ground, causing her to slash her foot on broken glass.
Mr Greaney said the abuse had continued when the couple moved to Blackpool and Kiena later contacted cops and reported that Wellings had given her a “black eye” while she was pregnant.
The jury also heard phone messages she sent to Wellings in which she accused him of “terrorising” her. “You’re a head f*** and you know it will ruin me,” she also wrote. You’re a bully.”
Wellings, of Bispham, Lancashire, denies the charges of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault and manslaughter.
The jury heard that he plans to claim his relationship with hairdresser Kiena was a “loving” one, she had injured herself, and that he didn’t accept his conduct caused her death, while her underlying mental health issues may have caused her to take her own life.
The trial continues.
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