Mum ‘took own life 11 days after killer fiance attacked her in front of baby daughter during two-year abuse campaign’
A MUM took her own life just 11 days after her fiance attacked her in front of her baby daughter in a two-year abuse campaign, a court heard.
Kiena Dawes, 23, wrote in a tragic suicide note “I was murdered” before she died on railway tracks in Lancashire.
The mum also said her ex-partner Ryan Wellings, 30, had “killed me” after she was repeatedly subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour, jurors heard.
Wellings is accused of violently abusing Kiena during their two year relationship.
Preston Crown Court heard this included a final assault just 11 days before she ended her life.
Kiena had dialled 999 on July 11, 2022, to report Wellings had assaulted her in front of their young daughter.
When officers arrived at the home, they discovered the mum’s head was bleeding and the bathroom towel rail had been damaged.
The court was told Wellings denied assaulting her and claimed he had to restrain her because she had attacked him.
On July 22, 2022, Kiena drove to a friend’s home and let herself in while the pal was in the shower.
She then left her nine-month-daughter inside along with the heartbreaking note, jurors heard.
This read: “The end. I fought hard, I fought long. I went through pain no one could imagine.
“I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He ruined every bit of strength I had left. I didn’t deserve it.
“I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster. Don’t let bullies live free.”
Kiena then apologised to her daughter for having to “let you go” and told how the world had “turned their back on me”.
She said she hoped the baby would be “kept away from the monster who is called her dad”.
Kiena, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, travelled to a country lane and was later struck by a high-speed train.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said her own words represented the prosecution case, that her death was caused by Wellings’s actions and he was guilty of her manslaughter.
The court heard the pair had been in an “intense” relationship for two years that was plagued by alleged abuse.
Kiena had been diagnosed with an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, which caused increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships.
Jurors heard Wellings exploited her condition, which played a part in the “bright and popular” hairdresser’s decision to end her own life.
He would allegedly accuse Kiena of sleeping with other people, branded her a “s**g”, threw a stool at her and told her to kill herself.
On one occasion, jurors heard he tried to strangle her with a charger cable and also smashed up the flat they both shared.
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EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Mr Greaney said Kiena was in a relationship with a man who “assaulted her, bullied and demeaned her” for more than two years.
Wellings is accused of belittling the mum, encouraging her to harm herself, isolating Kiena from her friends and family and threatening to have her child removed.
He added: “It is clear, suggests the prosecution, that despite a desire to see her daughter grow up, Kiena could not take any more.”
Wellings denies manslaughter, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The trial continues.
If you are affected by any issues in this article, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or useWomen’s Aid‘s Live Chat Service and/or the support page on the website