A MUM took her own life just 11 days after her fiance assaulted her in front of her baby daughter in a two-year campaign of abuse, a court heard.
Kiena Dawes, 23, wrote in a tragic farewell message “I’m killed” before she died on the railway tracks in Lancashire.
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Kiena Dawes took her own life after suffering horrific abuse, court heard Credit: Ben Lack
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Ryan Wellings charged with manslaughter Credit: Ian Leonard
The mum also said her ex-partner Ryan Wellings, 30, “killed me” after repeatedly subjecting her to controlling and coercive behaviour, jurors heard.
Wellings is accused of violently abusing Kiena during their two-year relationship – including once telling her: “Hitting you is like hitting a man”.
Preston Crown Court heard this included the latest attack just 11 days before she ended her life.
On July 11, 2022, Kiena called 999 to report that Wellings had assaulted her in front of their young daughter.
When officers arrived at the home, they found the mother’s head bleeding and a towel rack in the bathroom damaged.
The court was told Wellings denied assaulting her and claimed he had to restrain her because she assaulted him.
On July 22, 2022, Kiena drove to a friend’s house and went inside while the friend was in the shower.
She then left her nine-month-old daughter inside along with a heartbreaking message, jurors heard.
This read: “The end. I fought hard, I fought long. I went through pain that no one could imagine.
“I was killed. Ryan Wellings killed me. He destroyed every ounce of strength I had left. I didn’t deserve it.
“I hope my life will be saved by the police acting more quickly. Don’t let thugs live free.”
Kiena then apologized to her daughter for having to “let you go” and said that the world “turned its back on me”.
She said she hoped to “keep the baby away from the monster called her dad”.
In the video shown to jurors, the friend could be seen running out into the road yelling, “No, no, no.”
Kiena, from Fleetwood, Lancashire, traveled onto a country road and was later hit by a high-speed train.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said her own words represented the prosecution’s case, that her death was caused by Wellings’ actions and that he was guilty of her murder.
The court heard the couple had been in an “intense” relationship for two years which was riddled with alleged abuse.
Kiena was diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, which caused increased impulsivity, low self-esteem and difficulty in relationships.
Jurors heard how Wellings took advantage of her condition, which played a role in the “bright and popular” hairdresser’s decision to end her own life.
He allegedly accused Kiena of sleeping with other people, branded her “s**t”, threw a chair at her and told her to kill herself.
On one occasion, jurors heard that he tried to strangle her with a charger cable, and also broke into the apartment they shared.
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Mr Greaney said Kiena had been in a relationship with a man who “assaulted, harassed and humiliated” her for more than two years.
Wellings is accused of belittling the mother, encouraging her to harm herself, isolating Kiena from her friends and family and threatening to take her child away.
He added: “It is clear, the prosecution suggests, that despite wanting to see her daughter grow up, Kiena couldn’t take it anymore.”
Wellings denies manslaughter, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The trial continues.
If you are affected by any of the issues in this article, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or use the Women’s Aid live chat service and/or website support page
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Mom was allegedly violently abused by her ex Credit: Ben Lack
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She took her own life in 2022 and left a heartbreaking last message Credit: Facebook
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Kiena apologized to her daughter Credit: Facebook
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Wellings denied the allegations Credit: Ian Leonard
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