Better understanding of link between domestic abuse and trauma 'paramount' after landmark trial in Lancashire
PLUS: School repairs will only be able to tackle the absolute essentials in Lancashire
Hello and welcome to The Lancashire Lead.
This week we report, in-depth, on a case that has received national coverage - the death of Kiena Dawes.
Ryan Wellings was this week found guilty of domestically abusing 23-year-old Fleetwood mum Kiena Dawes following a six-week trial at Preston Crown Court.
But the trial was a landmark one in that CPS brought manslaughter charges against Wellings for his treatment of Kiena in the time before she took her own life. He was ultimately found not guilty.
We’ve spoken to charities in the UK, who have called for greater recognition of the links between domestic violence and suicide and trauma.
We want to warn readers that the content of the reporting, while important, does have the potential to be upsetting.
“It’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the woman who was described as ‘a fun-loving, kind and sensitive young woman who had her whole life ahead of her’”
By Jamie Lopez
A better understanding of how domestic abuse is linked to trauma and suicide is ‘paramount’ in ensuring survivors and victims see justice. That is the message delivered by a charity boss after the sentencing of Ryan Wellings.
Wellings had been accused of manslaughter after his ex-partner Kiena Dawes took her own life and left messages detailing the abuse she had suffered at his hands. In police statements, messages and notes, Kiena, detailed the mental, physical and verbal abuse she suffered at his hands.
During a six-week trial, Wellings, 30, denied having any role in her death. He did admit hitting her but claimed it was self defence and rejected having any role in her decision to end her life.
Wellings, of no fixed address but last of Houseman Close, Blackpool, was found not guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court. While he will serve six-and-a-half years for crimes of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault, he is not legally considered to be responsible for her death.
“Improved recognition of how domestic abuse can directly cause trauma and suicide is paramount in ensuring as many victims/survivors as possible are able to get justice…”
Nevertheless, a leading charity which help support victims says there is a clear link between domestic abuse and suicide in a huge number of cases. Julia Dwyer, Head of Services at Refuge, told The Lancashire Lead that dreadful statistics relating to the number of women who died as a result of domestic abuse are likely “the tip of the iceberg”.
She said the charity “remains steadfast in our position that there is an undeniable link between domestic abuse and suicide”.
“The trauma that can develop as a result of domestic abuse cannot be underestimated. A Refuge study, in collaboration with the University of Warwick, found that 83% of people who used Refuge’s services reported feelings of despair or hopelessness – a key determinant for suicidality”, Julia explained.
“At least 24% said they had felt suicidal at one time or another, with 18% sharing that they had made plans to end their life. And yet, despite the severe impact that domestic abuse can have on the mental wellbeing of those who experience it, deaths by suicide are not formally recognised as domestic abuse-related deaths.
“On average, one woman in England and Wales is killed by a partner or ex-partner every five days, and an estimated three women die by suicide each week due to being subjected domestic abuse. While these figures alone are truly harrowing, we expect these to represent the tip of the iceberg as deaths caused by domestic abuse continue to be severely under-reported.”
“What is also true is that in cases such as this, the victim often loses their sense of identity and self-worth. Before going into the details of the case, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the woman who was described as “a fun-loving, kind and sensitive young woman who had her whole life ahead of her”.
As reported by LancsLive’s Rachel Smith, the victim impact statements read out in court during Thursday’s sentencing gave some insight into Kiena.
Her mum Angela said: “She brought so much love and kindness to this world and to everyone who loved her, she was an extremely beautiful girl, and was quite truly the sweetest, kindest and gentlest person I have ever known.”
Her grandmother Irene Ball: said: “Kiena was a very beautiful, kind and happy girl. She was one of my five grandchildren and her daughter is my great grandchild. I was extremely close to Kiena and she meant the world to me. Kiena was a really good hairdresser and she would often come to my house to do my hair. She also came to my house twice a week for her tea. I always really looked forward to those visits.
“Kiena is missed so much every second of every day. Her baby girl was brought to my home a few hours after Kiena was found, and has been in my full time care ever since that tragic day, and I honestly cannot put into words just how much it breaks my heart that her beautiful baby doesn’t have her Mummy here because of that monster.”
A nightmare
In the case of her relationship with Wellings, what first appeared to be a whirlwind romance quickly turned into a nightmare of unimaginable proportions. Within weeks of meeting in January 2020, he’d had Kiena’s name tattooed on his neck and soon after a portrait of her face on his leg.
But within a similar timeframe he had also started his abusive behaviour and one of her messages to him read: “Stop hurting me now xxxxx.”
As is so often the case in domestic violence cases, the abuser was able to continue controlling his victim. As such, the relationship continued and by April 2020, he’d already proposed.
At that time, Kiena had temporarily moved to Dorset to stay with a friend during the Covid lockdown. During that month, the same friend noticed that Wellings’ behaviour towards Kiena would change dramatically at the drop of a hat, from extravagant gift giving to belittling behaviour which left Kiena feeling on edge.
The pair moved in together the following month but on May 3, Kiena called a friend to the flat which had been trashed and said Wellings had tried to strangle her with a phone charger in a jealous rage. Later that month, she filed a police report explaining he’d thrown a chair at her while accusing her of cheating, told her to kill herself and threw her to the floor where she cut herself on smashed glass.
He later sent her a message saying: “So disgusted in my life for scaring you like that. Never felt so s*** about myself.”
In October 2020, Kiena took out the tenancy on a flat in Fleetwood and in December told him she was leaving him. He responded by demanding all the money from her bank account and assaulting her in front of children, causing her to flee the property. But again, he apologised and convinced her to get back together.
In February 2021, Kiena fell pregnant and Wellings’ initial apparent excitement shifted and he began a more frequent campaign of emotional abuse. Soon after, she became suicidal and Wellings used this to deliver another cruel threat - that if she reported him to the authorities, the child would be taken off her as soon as it was born.
On April 17, 2021, Kiena kicked Wellings out of the flat because he had been cheating on her. She packed all his belongings and put them outside, but that resulted in Wellings’ associates making threats, including to set her car on fire. Wellings updated his Facebook profile to show him sitting in a car, smiling and holding a lighter.
The following month Kiena – who worked as a hairdresser – told one of her customers that, during an argument in her flat, Wellings had smashed up a memorial area she had made for her father who had died the previous July.
On July 5, 2021, Wellings again assaulted Kiena leaving her with a black eye.
In a statement to police at the time Kiena said: “I was about six months pregnant when Ryan gave me a black eye and he hit me to the floor. Ryan tried to explain to family it was self-defence because I was apparently insane. I rang the police straight away. Prior to police arrival he was telling me that if I continued I would get our baby taken away from us as soon as it was born and that this would all be my fault.
“On police arrival Ryan’s attitude changed and he put on an act, he was very pleasant. I told police it was just a verbal argument because I was scared about our baby and losing Ryan.”
Wellings later texted Kiena to say: “I’m so sorry for everything. I love you.”
In August, Kiena again tried to break up with Wellings and called police to report him taking property from her flat. During a conversation with an officer captured on body word camera, Kiena said that Wellings had previously assaulted her and said that “he just says if I ring anyone to help that they’ll just take my kid.”
In October 2021, Kiena’s baby was born and although Wellings’ behaviour initially improved, he soon became verbally and physically abusive again.
Kiena wrote: “When the baby was born and throughout labour he was amazing with me so I thought it was perfect and to stay with him. It wasn’t long till he was hurting me again.
“I told him I didn’t want anything happening around the baby. I started to get hit around the head every week now even if it’s just a slap. But he’s made me believe that’s acceptable because I argue back with him. This would happen in the car, in the house, anywhere.”
Kiena later wrote in a statement that around the turn of that year, Wellings became violent again and threatened her with a drill.
She stated: “We fell out as I told him I’m not sure I want this anymore. A few days later an argument began and he got a drill. He turned it on and put it in my face and told me he would drill my teeth out of my mouth. He also stated that he would throw my father's ashes out the window.”
In a text exchange in January 2022, Wellings acknowledged that he had physically assaulted Kiena and accepted that it was wrong stating: “I’m sorry for that really no excuse for it xx.”
The pattern of abuse and apology would only continue and get worse. Kiena reported that an incident involving him dunking her head into a baby bath full of water left her suicidal and four days later she used the notes app on her phone to detail the abuse and threats.
She stated Wellings had said to her at separate times: “I’m going to make your life hell,” “You think your life is hell now when the baby gets here I’ll make it hell,” “I will smash this flat to bits,” “I better stop those tears or he will,” and “No one will want me because I have stretch marks.”
She added: “I put a picture on Instagram so he said he will throw acid all over my face and watch it burn, I’ll never be able to take selfie’s again.”
On June 13, 2022, Wellings and Kiena got into an argument after he used aftershave from her late father’s memory box – something she had asked him not to do in the past. During that argument, Wellings assaulted Kiena. Two days later a witness saw Wellings being verbally abusive and aggressive towards Kiena while they were sitting in her car at traffic lights.
An assault in July was so serious it left her unconscious and led to a 999 call in which she said: “It’s a domestic violence. He’s knocked me out, but I’ve just woken up on the floor. There’s blood everywhere, but I can’t get the baby because I’m covered in blood.”
The calculated nature of his behaviour was seen during the attack as Wellings removed the remote for a panic alarm which police had previously fitted. He would later blame Kiena for the assault.
Audio of call to police from Kiena Dawes on July 11, 2022
Wellings was arrested later the same day and released on bail with conditions not to contact Kiena. But days later he used someone else’s phone to call and threaten her. Despite Kiena reporting this, he was not arrested.
Five days later, on July 22, Kiena dropped her daughter to a friend’s house along with her phone which contained a suicide note. The friend reported her missing but Kiena had ended her life before she was next seen.
Speaking to The Lancashire Lead, Julia Dwyer from Refuge, said: “Refuge stands in solidarity with Kiena’s family, and everyone who has been affected by domestic abuse.
“Improved recognition of how domestic abuse can directly cause trauma and suicide is paramount in ensuring as many victims/survivors as possible are able to get justice, and we will continue to campaign for a world where no more lives are taken by the crime that is domestic abuse.”
The case was the first of its kind in seeing a man accused of unlawful killing after his partner took her own life. Those who deal with and campaign over domestic abuse will at least hope the increased awareness will help other victims.
Harriet Wistrich, Director of the Centre for Women’s Justice, said:
“The verdict in this case highlights the complex task a jury must perform to determine the extent to which the abuse contributed to the decision by Kiena to take her own life. The test in law is that it must be more than minimal.
“Coercive control is a bespoke form of abuse, which targets a victim’s vulnerabilities. In this case there seems to have been evidence of ‘gaslighting’ whereby Wellings used Kiena’s past mental health to push her to the edge. Jurors need help in understanding how a victim can become so entrapped in an abusive relationship that they can see no way out.
“Many victims of domestic abuse who take their own lives will have pre-existing vulnerabilities, which are deliberately exploited by their abuser to exert control and inflict harm. The justice system must hold perpetrators accountable for the full scope of their actions.
“Whilst the outcome of this case may not have delivered justice for Kiena’s family, their courage in speaking out about the issue will have helped raise awareness about domestic abuse as a cause of suicide and can help contribute to changes in the law and practice that are needed.”
DCI Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police, said: “My thoughts today are with Kiena and the Dawes family in what has been another extremely challenging day for them. Listening to the harrowing victim impact statements read out in court, it is clear how truly loved Kiena was and how much she continues to be missed.
“While I am satisfied Ryan Wellings has been given a custodial sentence for his abhorrent, sustained and cowardly conduct towards Kiena, I know no sentence will ever be enough for the Dawes family.
“While lessons will undoubtedly be learned from this case, I want to take this opportunity to appeal directly to anyone who finds themselves in an abusive relationship or knows or suspects someone else might be. Please make contact with the authorities or reach out to domestic abuse organisations for help and support. You are not alone and there is help out there for you.”
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime report it online or call 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
Help and support is also available from charities including:
Refuge/The National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Fylde Coast Women’s Aid: 01253 596699
£14m repair plan for schools will only tackle health and safety risks
By Paul Faulkner
A £14m repair plan for Lancashire’s schools will only be able to tackle the most urgent problems that pose an immediate health and safety risk and could result in buildings having to close.
Roof replacements, new heating systems and the removal of asbestos are amongst the 61 highest-priority repair jobs set to be carried out over the next year.
Lancashire County Council’s cabinet has agreed how the authority will spend the cash that it expects to receive in 2025/26 from the government’s schools condition-led programme to address the most pressing issues across the school estate.
However, a report to members stressed that the funding will not be enough to tackle all of the top-priority problems in the county – only those deemed most severe.
Across the 12 districts in County Hall’s patch – which excludes Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, whose authorities will receive their own funding shares – Preston will see the most repair work undertaken: 16 jobs in 15 schools. That is followed by West Lancashire, where a dozen repairs will be done.
At the other end of the scale, just two schools in each of South Ribble and Ribble Valley are slated for repair, with one in Hyndburn and none at all in Fylde.
The decision about which schools to prioritise is based on Department for Education guidance which helps local authorities to identify so-called “priority 1” repairs.
However, the amount expected to be allocated to Lancashire would not cover all of the schools that fall into this category, meaning a further prioritisation has had to be carried out in order to determine what cabinet member for education and skills Jayne Rear said is those sites with “the greatest need”.
A contingency fund has also been created to cover any increased costs that may become apparent only once work gets under way and more of the building fabric is exposed.
The authority has warned that restricted material and labour availability in recent years – which has bumped up prices in the building industry – could put further financial pressure on the programme.
The funding – which will be confirmed in the coming weeks – is for community, voluntary controlled and maintained schools, but not academies, which receive an allocation from a separate pot. If the total amount issued to Lancashire is less than the £14m anticipated, the work programme will have to be adjusted accordingly.
What’s being done where
These are the schools, broken down by district, provisionally listed for repair during 2025/26:
Burnley
Brunshaw Primary School – heating system
Heasandford Primary School – wet rot remedial work
Ightenhill Primary School – classroom floor replacement
Rosegrove Infant School – fire compartmentation works
Stoneyholme Primary School – window replacement
Chorley
Abbey Village Primary School – roof replacement
Buckshaw Primary School – roof replacement
Coppull Primary School – heating system
Manor Road Primary School, Clayton-le-Woods – roof replacement
Mayfield Primary School – heating system
Hyndburn
Fairfield Nursery School – roof replacement
Lancaster
Appletree Nursery – roof replacement
Bowerham Primary School – asbestos removal
Caton Primary School – electrical rewire
Torrisholme Primary School, Morecambe – asbestos removal
West End Primary School, Morecambe – roof replacement
Westgate Primary School – roof replacement
Willow Lane Primary School – roof replacement
Pendle
Coates Lane Primary School – heating system
Colne Park Primary School – ceiling repairs
Walton Lane Nursery School, Nelson – heating system
Walverden Primary School, Nelson – window replacement
Preston
Ashton Community Science College – roof replacement
Ashton Primary School – heating system
Brockholes Wood Primary School – heating system
Brookfield Community Primary School – mains water supply
Broughton High School – roof replacement
Deepdale Primary School – heating system
Fishwick Primary School – roof replacement
Frenchwood Community Primary School – external wall repairs
Greenlands Community Primary School – external wall repairs
Ingol Community Primary School – roof replacement
Ingol Community Primary School – asbestos removal
Kennington Primary School, Fulwood – roof replacement
Larches High School – roof replacement
Moorbrook School – fire alarm
Ribbleton Avenue Methodists Junior School – classroom floor replacement
Roebuck Primary School – heating system
Ribble Valley
Hillside Specialist School and College, Longridge – electrical switchgear replacement
Ribblesdale Nursery School, Clitheroe – -asbestos removal
Rossendale
Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall – roof replacement
Moor End Community Primary School, Oswaldtwistle – asbestos removal
Water Primary School – external wall repairs
Waterfoot Primary School – external cladding
South Ribble
Longton Primary School – window and door replacement
Moss Side Primary School, Leyland – roof replacement
West Lancashire
Banks Methodist Primary School – kitchen repairs
Brookfield Park Primary School, Skelmersdale – water heater replacement
Burscough Bridge Methodist Primary School – heating system
Crawford Village Primary School, Skelmersdale – electrical rewire
Crow Orchard Primary School, Skelmersdale – fire alarm
Lathom High School, Skelmersdale – external cladding
Little Digmoor Primary School, Skelmersdale – asbestos removal
Ormskirk CE Primary School – window replacement
Richard Durning’s Endowed Primary School – roof replacement
Scarisbrick Pinfold Primary School – heating system
Trinity CE/Methodist Primary School, Skelmersdale – heating system
Wrightington Mossy Lea Primary School, Skelmersdale – heating system
Wyre
Carleton Green Community Primary, Poulton-le-Fylde – heating system
Carr Head Primary School, Poulton-le-Fylde – heating system
Chaucer Primary School, Fleetwood – heating system
I flew 13 hours across the world from Singapore to Lancashire to try this TikTok famous British cuisine (The Gazette)
Woman in her 50s found stabbed to death at flat (BBC)
'Shops are closing' - business boss hits out at roadworks impact in Rawtenstall (LancsLive)
Delivery driver given parking ticket after police cars block loading bay in Lancaster city centre (Lancaster Guardian)
Thank you for reading. The length of today’s main report means that we’re not able to fit anything extra into today’s newsletter, but it was a story that needed telling properly.
We’ll speak to you again soon.