Kiena Dawes’ abuser, his girlfriend and mother face criminal probe

A man who abused his vulnerable partner before she killed herself is facing a criminal probe into allegations he attempted to pervert the course of justice – along with his girlfriend and his mother.

Ryan Wellings, 31, was jailed for six and a half years in January for assaulting and coercing Kiena Dawes, who died on a railway line in Lancashire in 2022.

The mother-of-one left a note claiming he was a “monster” who had attacked her physically and emotionally for more than two years.

Lancashire Police said 52-year-old Lisa Green – Wellings’ mother – and 28-year-old Emma Croft – his girlfriend – were held on suspicion of committing an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

During Wellings’ trial, it was revealed that police were investigating if his mother and Ms Croft allegedly “coached” him on how to give evidence during his six-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

While he was entitled to speak to family and friends, he was not legally allowed to discuss his case with them.

Police confirmed the two women were arrested on 26 February and have since been “released under investigation while enquiries continue”.

Wellings was interviewed under caution on 10 April.

During the trial, lead prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said there had been reports of Wellings talking about the case with both women while he was on remand at HMP Preston.

The trial heard Wellings – who was found not guilty of manslaughter – had “swept Miss Dawes off her feet” when they met in 2020.

But he was frequently violent, punching, strangling and dragging her to the floor.

The assault charge referred to when, two weeks before Ms Dawes’ death, Wellings slammed a door into her head at their flat in Fleetwood, knocking her unconscious and leaving her covered in blood.

The attack happened in the presence of their screaming baby daughter.

Miss Dawes left a note on her mobile phone detailing more abusive incidents during their relationship, describing Wellings as a “bully”.

Her brother told the trial: “The world now knows what a monster he is.”