Trial Hears Relationship Described as Turning from ‘Fairy Tale’ to ‘Nightmare’

During a trial, it was reported that a young woman, who was purportedly driven to suicide by her abusive partner, described their relationship as transforming from a “fairy tale to nightmare.” Preston Crown Court was informed that Kiena Dawes, aged 23, maintained contact via Facebook with her former school teacher, Nicola Atherton, who believed Miss Dawes was in a contented relationship with Ryan Wellings. The jury was informed that Mr. Wellings, 30, faces an accusation of manslaughter in connection with Miss Dawes’ death. She had left a note stating, “I was murdered … Ryan Wellings killed me.” On July 22, 2022, she entrusted their eight-month-old daughter to a friend before ending her life on a railway line. Jurors heard that Miss Dawes disclosed the true nature of her relationship to Mrs. Atherton, who had been her teacher at Lytham St Annes High School in Lancashire. Mrs. Atherton recounted: “She just said the first six months were a fairy tale but then it turned into a nightmare. “Those were her exact words. Horrendous domestic violence. Horrendous physical abuse.” The court was informed that Miss Dawes, a resident of Fleetwood, communicated through Facebook Messenger, stating that her online posts did not reflect the “true side” of her existence. She also sent Mrs. Atherton images of injuries purportedly sustained from assaults by Mr. Wellings. Mrs. Atherton advised Miss Dawes that she would be “best rid” of Mr. Wellings and recommended ending contact, remarking: “This is toxic.” The jury heard Miss Dawes’ response: “Been bullied till there’s nothing left of me.” Mrs. Atherton further stated that Miss Dawes expressed difficulty coping and a feeling of being tortured by Mr. Wellings and his associates. It was revealed in court that Miss Dawes felt “let down” by Lancashire Police shortly before her death. This was because after Mr. Wellings’ arrest for an alleged assault on July 11, 2022, he reportedly abused her again, seemingly violating his bail conditions, yet no measures were implemented. Debbie Green, who performed Miss Dawes’ nail makeovers, testified that Miss Dawes’ condition deteriorated “downhill” following her encounter with Mr. Wellings, transforming her “from being a happy-go-lucky girl to frightened all the time.” Ms. Green stated: “It was always doom and gloom because of what was happening with Ryan. “That he was battering her. Every appointment there would be something that would have happened.” Ms. Green recounted that Miss Dawes described Mr. Wellings allegedly holding a functional drill to her mouth and instructing her to commit suicide. Ms. Green also mentioned that Miss Dawes appeared at a different appointment with a black eye and an arm “black” due to bruising. At their last appointment, Ms. Green observed Miss Dawes as “hysterical, crying” following an alleged assault, and Miss Dawes had pledged to depart permanently. Ms. Green informed the jury: “I think she had had enough of being battered.” Miss Dawes took her own life two days subsequent to this. Legal representatives for Mr. Wellings, from Bispham, Blackpool, have presented to jurors that Miss Dawes was a “troubled” individual whose mental health challenges existed prior to their relationship, and her choice to end her life stemmed from “multiple factors.” He informed the police that any injuries were accidental, resulting from his attempts to restrain her. Furthermore, he faces accusations of assault and coercive and controlling behavior spanning from January 2020 to July 2022, charges which he denies. The trial is ongoing.