Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A man who was blamed for his girlfriend's death in her suicide note has been cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of assault.
Ryan Wellings, 30, had faced charges of driving his girlfriend Kiena Dawes to her death after years of alleged domestic violence.
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He is the first person to be tried before a jury accused of the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence.
Dawes, 23, had died by suicide on 22 July 2022, leaving a note which included phrases such as 'I was murdered' and that Wellings had 'killed' her. She left her and Wellings' nine-month-old daughter with a friend before taking her own life.
It is understood that Dawes made a statement to Lancashire Police after a final beating had left her needing hospital treatment. Wellings would later break his bail conditions but was not locked up - leaving the mother-of-one to feel let down by authorities.
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Three Lancashire Police officers face disciplinary hearings.
The court heard how 'swept off her feet' by Wellings, who has a previous conviction for battering his ex-partner, in the early days of their relationship.
However, the relationship is said to have turned in to a 'nightmare', with text messages between the pair and from Ms Dawes to her friends being submitted as evidence.
The prosecution alleged that Wellings was an 'entitled, aggressive bully' who had physically assaulted Dawes as well as threatening her with further violence, such as threatening to use a drill to take out her teeth and throwing acid in her face to 'make her look like Katie Piper'.
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Meanwhile, the defence stated that Dawes' medical records had revealed she had a history of mental health issues, including a diagnosis of unstable personality disorder, and was a 'very troubled young lady' who ended her life due to 'multiple factors'.
The 30-year-old admitted that he'd been 'heavy handed' with Dawes, but told the courts that her accusations of violence were a result of his attempts to restrain her or accidental.
"I’m not a monster," he told the court.
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Wellings made no reaction once jurors returned their verdicts, which cleared him of manslaughter but found him guilty of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
His sentencing is yet to take place.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Brenna Cooper