Kiena Dawes’ ‘monster’ abuser’s new girlfriend wished the tragic mum a “happy heavenly birthday” on social media shortly after she took her own life, it is reported.
Newly resurfaced screenshots from Emma Croft’s deleted Facebook page show a series of glowing tributes she paid to the 23-year-old hairdresser after her death. Less than one month after the tragedy though, she posted on Kiena’s former profile “happy heavenly birthday”.
The resurfaced messages have caused upset following Ms Croft’s decision to support Wellings throughout his trial at Preston Crown Court for manslaughter, for which he was cleared, and assault and coercive and controlling behaviour, both for which he was convicted. On Thursday (January 16), Judge Robert Altham, Honorary Recorder of Preston, jailed the landscape gardener, from Bispham, for six and a half years.
Kiena was found dead on a railway line in July 2022 and had left a suicide note, calling her partner a “monster” who had “killed me”. She would have turned 24 just weeks later, the day on which Ms Croft, a nail technician, left the chilling three-word message on her old social media account, the Mirror reports.
Ms Croft and Wellings’ mother Lisa Green face a police investigation for allegedly “coaching” him to give evidence in court. Angry friends have blasted Ms Croft, who lost her job at a beauty salon in Bispham following media scrutiny amid the trial, for standing by her violent man. The father of two even blew her a kiss in court after being found guilty this week.
One source told Mail Online: “She claimed her own family were quite supportive of the relationship, but I find that hard to believe. As a result of her relationship with Ryan she’s lost a lot of her friends and now her job, but she doesn’t seem able to see him for what he is.”
And Mrs Croft faced a further backlash on social media after the screenshots of the birthday message emerged. Comments on Facebook branded Ms Croft “sickening” and her behaviour “beyond words”.
Wellings subjected mum-of-one Kiena to a prolonged campaign of abuse in the two years during which they dated. Sentencing the thug at Preston Crown Court, Judge Altham described him as a “clear danger to any partner you have in the future”.
Judge Robert Altham, Honorary Recorder of Preston
He added: “Every higher culpability factor exists. The offence is aggravated by your record, the fact much was committed while under the influence of cocaine.
“The ABH is aggravated by being committed in a domestic setting. You left Ms Dawes unconscious on the floor and ignored her pleas for help.
“It is a seriously aggravating factor that this was committed in front of her daughter. She was vulnerable due to her mental health problems.
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.
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