Vile thug Ryan Wellings faces targeted attacks and isolation behind bars after abusing his fiancée Kiena Dawes, a legal expert tells The Mirror.
Wellings, 30, has been sentenced to six years and six months at Preston Crown Court, after being found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour and cleared of manslaughter. For two years, he led a campaign of terror against mother-of-one Kiena, who tragically took her own life, aged 23, in July 2022 after feeling like there was nowhere left to turn.
The tortured hairdresser was found dead after leaving her nine-month-old daughter with a friend, along with a suicide note on her phone. It read: “I was murdered. Slowly. They tortured me, till there was nothing left. I lost my fight but I didn’t give up my battle. I fought till the end. Ryan Wellings killed me.”
At the sentencing today, Kiena’s brother Kynan Dawes, said Wellings can now “spend the rest of his life being viewed as an abuser and person who beats up women”. He told the court: “I want people to see that domestic violence is not OK and men should respect their partners by showing them nothing but love and kindness.”
Thug sentenced for brutal abuse after partner takes her own life – updates
Kiena Dawes, 23, took her own life after suffering years of domestic abuse
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She was repeatedly slapped and threatened with an acid attack and drowning
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Lancashire Police)
Wellings was the first defendant to face trial for the unlawful killing of a partner after suicide following domestic violence. He denied manslaughter and said her death was due to “multiple factors”. The court heard how Wellings repeatedly subjected Kiena to controlling and violent abuse almost from the beginning of their relationship.
The couple met in January 2020 and lived together in Dorset, during which time Wellings tried to strangle her with an iPhone charger and would regularly slap her. He gave her a black eye while she was pregnant and issued horrifying threats to drown her in a bath and drill her teeth so she could no longer take selfies, the court heard.
Her sickening abuser threatened to ‘make her look like Katie Piper’ by throwing acid on her face, and drained her of money while she worked two jobs. The court heard that after behaving aggressively, he would apologise and shower her with affection. Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC described Wellings as an “entitled, aggressive bully”.
Now, Wellings, of Fleetwood, Lancashire, faces six years behind bars. According to legal expert John Eastham, who has over 20 years of experience in law and cases involving coercive behaviour, Wellings may be the target of attacks by fellow inmates who regard his vile crimes, including beating his pregnant girlfriend, as deplorable.
Kiena felt she had nowhere to turn and left a suicide note on her phone
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Wellings, 30, was found guilty of assaulting and controlling Kiena
“Men convicted of coercive control offences often face a unique set of challenges during their incarceration,” Mr Eastham, from Private Investigations UK, told The Mirror. “While coercive control is a relatively recent addition to criminal law, its seriousness is widely acknowledged, with perpetrators frequently being viewed with disdain by both the public and fellow inmates.”
Since Wellings was charged in November 2024, Kiena’s tragic case has received nationwide media attention, with domestic abuse charities shining a light on the lessons that must be learned from her death. Mr Eastham said the significant public attention could heighten the scrutiny on Wellings in prison and he might find himself “isolated or targeted” due to the nature of his crimes.
“Wellings’ case has received widespread media coverage, which can have a lasting impact on his experience in the prison system. Inmates who attract significant public attention may face heightened scrutiny from both prison staff and fellow prisoners,” Mr Eastham said. “This could lead to Wellings being placed under protective measures, such as solitary confinement or transfer to a specialised unit, to ensure his safety.”
As well as being placed in solitary confinement, Wellings will likely have to undergo rehabilitation programmes. But he could refuse involvement, hindering his chances of rehabilitation. Mr Eastham said: “Many offenders struggle with denial or minimisation of their crimes, which can hinder their ability to engage meaningfully with these programmes.”
Wellings has always point-blank denied the charges and tried to put the blame on Kiena’s family. He told jurors during his trial: “I’m not a monster. Never have been.” A video of him, an hour after being charged with manslaughter, which was played in court, showed him holding a bottle of prosecco while being driven in a car. He tells the camera of his charges: “It’s all f***ing s**t.”
He may be isolated and targeted behind bars and could struggle immensely with the consequences of his notoriety, a legal expert says
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Prosecuting KC Greaney accused Wellings of uploading the clip to intimidate the Dawes family and said: “What we see there is the real Ryan Wellings. Ryan Wellings the bully. The entitled person. The person who thinks he can do what he wants to people and say what he wants.” But while Wellings felt in control before his sentencing, he may lose all of that cockiness in jail.
Mr Eastham explained that the psychological toll of being incarcerated and under the public spotlight “cannot be understated” for someone like Wellings. He said: “The stigma attached to coercive control offences is immense, and Wellings may struggle with the long-term consequences of this notoriety. This will likely extend beyond his time in custody, as reintegration into society can be especially challenging for high-profile offenders.”
After prison, Wellings may encounter difficulty trying to rebuild his life due to his criminal record. While his new girlfriend, Emma Croft, has loyally supported him throughout his trial, their relationship may hit significant barriers. “The media coverage surrounding his case may continue to haunt him,” Mr Eastham said. “He will likely be subject to strict conditions, including probation supervision.”
He added: “Ultimately, the experience of imprisonment for coercive control is not solely about punishment; it also serves as an opportunity for offenders to confront their behaviour and work towards meaningful change. Whether Wellings takes this opportunity remains to be seen, but the road ahead will undoubtedly be fraught with challenges.”