The grandmother of Kiena Dawes gave a moving statement about how the loss of her granddaughter has left her heartbroken.
Irene Ball sat stoically in the public gallery supporting her own daughter Angela and granddaughter Leona throughout the trial at Preston Crown Court. For six weeks, the proud grandma listened to the harrowing details of her granddaughters abuse at the hands of her partner Ryan Wellings.
Kiena was close to her grandma and would go to her house for tea twice a week. The talented hairdresser also did her grandma’s hair. Kiena spoke a little about her relationship with Wellings, but often kept her torment from Irene to spare her feelings.
What Irene did know horrified her. Now, as Wellings begins a six year sentence after being convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and ABH, Irene says she will never forget Kiena’s beautiful smile.
In a statement read by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC, she 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.
“All Kiena wanted out of life was to be happy. I became aware she was in a relationship with Ryan Wellings. I didn’t know him very well and only met him a few times. It was obvious to me that throughout this relationship there were good times but also some very sad times.
“Kiena had the most beautiful smile, a smile I will never forget. However, during her relationship with Ryan Wellings I could sometimes see beyond her smile.
“I noticed the times when her smile was false but she also tried to reassure me by saying: ‘I’m OK grandma.’ Kiena wasn’t OK but she was selfless. She kept a lot of her anguish to herself and I know she did this to protect me. This was particularly obvious when I was undergoing chemotherapy.
“Kiena was protective over me so she didn’t go into great detail with me about her relationship with Ryan Wellings, but there were times that she did open up to me about the issues with him. Hearing about these issues hurt and upset me.
“During their relationship she told me that Ryan Wellings had hurt her and she had also told me about the incident involving the drill. I was absolutely horrified. She was my granddaughter and I loved her and the thought of someone treating her this way is simply too much the bear.
“She told me about their arguments and she told me in enough detail for me to be really concerned. I told Kiena that he would really badly hurt her one day and I pleaded with her not to go back to him. I asked her what she was waiting for. She always went back to him because all she wanted was to be happy.
“On 11th July 2022 Kiena called me and asked me where I was. She told me there had been another incident with Ryan, that he had really hurt her, she was bleeding and there was an ambulance on the way. She apologised to me and asked me to have her daughter whilst she went up to hospital for treatment.
“Her mum, Angela, was going to hospital with her. Of course I agreed to this and the police brought her baby to me. I know the fact that the police came to my house with the baby really upset Kiena, she felt really guilty about that, again thinking more about the impact on me than herself.
“On her return from hospital I saw the extent of Kiena’s injuries. It was extremely shocking to see my granddaughter hurt and with injuries to her beautiful face. The way she looked on that day is an image I will never forget and it shocked me.
“I have sat and listened to the evidence throughout the trial and have been sickened by what I have both seen and heard – the witness evidence, text messages, photographs and the videos. Hearing what Kiena has been subjected to by Ryan Wellings distressed me that much I have sobbed. I often do this privately as I need to be strong for Angela and the rest of family.
“I am absolutely broken-hearted that we have lost Kiena and I feel doubly heartbroken because every single day I see my own daughter Angela and the pain she is suffering as a result of losing Kiena. She has lost her child and to watch my own child going through this is simply unbearable.
“I can’t fix this or make it better. I simply have to be there. Angela has been through so much to seek justice for Kiena and I worry about the impact this has had on her.
“It also breaks my heart that Kiena’s daughter will grow up without her mummy. She has Kiena’s smile and whenever I see it I get a lump in my throat as it’s like Kiena’s smile is still with us. Kiena was loved by all of her family and friends and I will forever remember the good times.
“Her death is a huge loss and she will never be forgotten. I just want to tell you Kiena that I love you so much and always will…but you already know that.”
You don’t have to suffer in silence if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Here are some groups you can contact:
Samaritans: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org, in confidence.
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won’t show up on your bill.
PAPYRUS: Suicide prevention charity offering professional help and support to children, young people and anyone concerned for someone struggling with life. Call HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039 967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Depression Alliance: A charity for people with depression. No helpline, but it offers useful resources and links to other information.
Students Against Depression: A website for students who are depressed, have low mood, or are suicidal. Click here to visit.
Bullying UK: A website for both children and adults affected by bullying. Click here.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): For young men who are feeling unhappy. There is a helpline: 0800 58 58 58 or visit the website.
Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter THE COURT FILES and get all the biggest stories from Lancashire’s courts direct to your inbox