Manslaughter Trial Hears Accused Previously Assaulted Ex-Partner

Testimony presented in court revealed that a man, facing accusations of causing his partner to end her life through domestic abuse, had previously assaulted a former girlfriend during an outburst of anger. Ryan Wellings, aged 30, refutes charges of manslaughter in connection with the death of Kiena Dawes, who left a note prior to her passing stating: “I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me.” Ms. Dawes, 23, residing in Fleetwood, Lancashire, entrusted her young daughter to a friend before her death by suicide on a railway line on July 22, 2022. Mr. Wellings informed Preston Crown Court that he had consumed a “lot of drugs” and imbibed a “lot of alcohol” prior to the assault on his ex-girlfriend in 2019. The court was informed that he had confessed to a battery offense subsequent to the event, during which he also caused damage to her vehicle and attempted to strike his father. Upon his arrest, the jury was told he stated to the officer: “It’s all kicked off. I’ve been at a party and taken loads of coke. I have a problem.” Furthermore, Mr. Wellings, from Bispham, Lancashire, acknowledged punching a friend following an evening out in August 2023, according to court testimony. He explained: “I did because he was belittling me in front of my friends.” It was disclosed in court that he entered a guilty plea to assault occasioning actual bodily harm earlier in the current year. Mr. Wellings informed the jury that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had made five prior attempts to end his own life. He stated: “I had children and I couldn’t stop taking drugs and it made me want to kill myself.” He mentioned consuming approximately £400 worth of cocaine, equivalent to 20 bags, during binges. Mr. Wellings also faces accusations of assault and engaging in coercive and controlling behavior between January 2020 and July 2022, charges he denies. Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, instructed the jury that their task would be to determine if the prior convictions demonstrated Mr. Wellings’ inclination to commit violent acts. He encountered Miss Dawes, a hairdresser, in January 2020, and her mother previously testified in court that Miss Dawes was “swept off her feet.” Mr. Wellings had her name and face tattooed on his body only a week later and proposed marriage within a three-month period. The judicial proceedings are ongoing. For individuals experiencing feelings of despair or emotional distress, the BBC Action Line provides information regarding organizations capable of offering advice and assistance. The finest content from BBC Radio Lancashire is available on Sounds, and BBC Lancashire can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp at 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.