Mum left ‘I was murdered’ note after suffering ‘years of abuse from ex-boyfriend’

A vulnerable young mother killed herself after leaving a note claiming ‘I was murdered’ after suffering years of alleged abuse by her ex-boyfriend.

Hairdresser Kiena Dawes, 23, wrote in her note that Ryan Wellings, 30, had, ‘killed me’, Preston Crown Court was told.

Wellings denies manslaughter, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour to Ms Dawes during their two-year relationship.

Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told jurors that on July 22, 2022, Ms Dawes, from Fleetwood, Lancashire, had driven to a friend’s home.

When Ms Dawes arrived at the home, her friend was in the shower so she ‘let herself in’, before placing down the car seat with her nine-month-old daughter still inside and leaving.

From there, she travelled to a country lane, where she took her own life on a railway line.

Mr Greaney said Ms Dawes had left her mobile phone with her daughter, where a suicide note was discovered.

Ms Dawes’ phone note, shown on screen in court, 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,’ she said, before writing to her daughter: ‘I’m sorry I let you go… I’m so sorry I had to go.

‘The world turned their back on me. I was strong. I had dreams. I had a future at one point. That was taken away from me.’

She added in the note she hoped her daughter was ‘kept away from the monster who is called her dad’.

Mr Greaney told jurors Ms Dawes’ own words explained the prosecution’s case, claiming her death was caused by Wellings’ actions and he is guilty of her manslaughter.

From the ‘beginning’ of their relationship, Wellings allegedly subjected Ms Dawes to controlling and coercive behaviour, abuse and violence, over a prolonged period, the court heard.

Mr Greaney explained Ms Dawes had been diagnosed with an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships.

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Wellings allegedly exploited her mental health condition, and while the condition played a part in her decision to take her own life, so too did his abuse, including a final assault which left her in hospital 11 days before she took her own life.

The defendant claims Ms Dawes’ accusations against him are either untrue or exaggerated and any injuries she suffered before her death were a result of his attempts to restrain her or accidental.

The couple first met each other through Ms Dawes’ brother, a friend of the defendant, in January 2020 and an ‘intense’ relationship began.

Within weeks Wellings had his new girlfriend’s name and face tattooed on his body, the court heard.

After the first Covid lockdown began, Ms Dawes moved to Dorset and Wellings followed shortly after.

But in May 2020, a friend of Ms Dawes visited the flat to find it smashed up and she told her friend that Wellings had tried to strangle her with an iPhone charger cable.

On another occasion, it’s alleged Wellings accused Ms Dawes of sleeping with a friend of theirs, screamed at her she was a ‘slag’, threw a stool at her and told her to kill herself.

Ms Dawes fled from the house, but later returned to him.

The trial continues.

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