A THUG jailed for abusing his girlfriend who later took her own life will spend longer behind bars after being “coached” through his trial.
Ryan Wellings was cleared of manslaughter after allegedly driving Kiena Dawes, 23, to suicide after a two-year campaign of abuse.
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Kiena Dawes took her own life after suffering horror abuse Credit: Ben Lack
Ryan Wellings was convicted over her death Credit: PA
Mum-of-one Kiena had written “I was murdered” in a tragic note before taking her own life on railway tracks.
She also said Wellings, 31, had “killed me” after she was repeatedly subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour.
He was jailed for six-and-a-half years in January 2025 after being convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault.
Wellings has now had seven months added to his prison term for contempt of court.
Wellings was coached during the trial by Emma Croft (pictured) Credit: Enterprise
She told Wellings to play on Kiena’s mental health to jurors Credit: Facebook
The thug ignored instructions from a judge not to discuss his trial and instead phoned his then partner Emma Croft and mum Lisa Green eight times from prison.
Croft was present in court for the warnings and Green was a potential defence witness who knew she could not discuss the trial while it was ongoing.
Mum-of-two Croft, 29, told Wellings in one call: “Some advice to listen, so take it in. Say how sorry you was and how you regret some of your action.
“You can show emotion. If you do feel like you’re gonna cry then let it out.”
Kiena was attacked by Wellings just 11 days before her death Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The mum left a harrowing note Credit: Ben Lack
Days later, Wellings sobbed in front of a jury as he gave evidence about Kiena’s death.
In another exchange, Croft told Wellings that if he was questioned about “kick offs” between him and Kiena, he should suggest some of them were related to her mental health problems.
Croft also told him: “Don’t forget to keep mentioning self-defence. Get it in there.”
Adam Birkby, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court: “The Crown’s case is that during the telephone calls the defendants engaged in witness coaching, and that their joint intention was to influence and thereby improve both the content of the evidence given by Ryan Wellings and the manner in which he gave it.
Wellings’ mum and dad admitted kidnapping their granddaughter Credit: SWNS
The thug was previously jailed for six-and-a-half years Credit: Ian Leonard
“This was in flagrant breach of the clear order of the court.”
Croft and Green were handed a six month sentence, suspended for 20 months.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Altham said their coaching was a “serious interference with the fairness and integrity of the trial process in an important and serious case concerning the loss of life”.
But the judge told the court he could not conclude that the “ultimate outcome” of the trial was affected.
Kiena apologised to her daughter for having to “let you go” in a heartbreaking note Credit: PA
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Separately to the contempt case, Wellings’ dad Michael and mum Green were sentenced for kidnapping their granddaughter weeks after Kiena’s death.
The youngster had been in a pram with her maternal grandmother when the Wellings Snr approached and grabbed her.
He then ran off towards a car where Green was stood shouting “get her”.
They were both handed nine months in prison, suspended for 20 months.
Wellings called his new partner and mum eight times from jail to discuss the case Credit: Ian Leonard
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
Wellings violently abused Kiena during their two year relationship – including once telling her: “Hitting you is like hitting a man”.
He also attacked her in front of their baby daughter just 11 days before she ended her own life.
Kiena had been diagnosed with an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, which caused increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships.
Instead of caring for his partner, Wellings, who was previously convicted of battering his ex-girlfriend, exploited her condition – eventually driving the mum to suicide.
He would accuse Kiena of sleeping with other people, branded her a “s**g”, threw a stool at her and told her to kill herself.
On one occasion, Wellings dunked her head in the bath and told her: “Say goodbye to your baby”.
He also said he would “make her look like Katie Piper” by throwing acid in her face and threatened to use a drill to take her teeth out.
On July 21, 2022, Kiena made a decision to leave Wellings after she ended up in hospital following an attack.
She returned home to pack her bags then messaged her mum: “I’m genuinely tortured. I don’t know how I’m going to get over this.
“I know time is a healer but I am seriously haunted by what’s happened. It’s f***ing killing me.”
The following morning, Kiena drove to a friend’s home and let herself in while the pal was in the shower.
She was captured leaving her nine-month-daughter inside along with the heartbreaking note, the court heard.
It 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.”
Kiena then apologised to her daughter for having to “let you go” and told how the world had “turned their back on me”.
She said she hoped the baby would be “kept away from the monster who is called her dad”.
The hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, travelled to a country lane and was later struck by a high-speed train.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
