The death of a young mother, Kiena Dawes, who suffered prolonged domestic abuse, has resulted in three police officers facing misconduct hearings. Ms. Dawes, 23 years old, left a note on her mobile phone before she took her own life saying her 30-year-old partner Ryan Wellings had killed her. One Lancashire Police officer faces disciplinary charges for alleged gross misconduct, and two others are accused of misconduct in connection with contact that Ms. Dawes had with police before her death.
Wellings was recently found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence, but he was cleared of her manslaughter. It can now also be reported that Wellings’ mother, Lisa Green, and girlfriend, Emma Scott, are under police investigation for allegedly “coaching” him on how to give evidence during his six-week trial at Preston Crown Court. Ms. Dawes had reported Wellings for breaching his bail conditions by contacting her after he had attacked her. A police officer dismissed the hairdresser’s complaint, however, and she was also urged to delete a Facebook post in which she wrote about the abuse she had suffered.
In the note on her phone, Ms. Dawes wrote: “I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster.” The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said three officers had cases to answer, whereas a fourth officer had been cleared. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Winstanley stated that “lessons will be learned” from the case. The disciplinary hearings will take place in due course.
Meanwhile, the lead prosecutor in the trial, Paul Greaney KC, explained that there had been reports of Wellings discussing the case with his mother and sister while on remand at HMP Preston. Wellings was in the middle of giving evidence – and while entitled to speak to family and friends, he was not legally allowed to discuss his case with them. Judge Robert Altham banned both women from entering the courtroom until the jury returned its verdicts
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