Ryan Wellings, 30, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for controlling and coercive behaviour and assault – but was previously cleared of her manslaughter.He was the first defendant in England to face trial for the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence.
Shortly after Ms Dawes wrote her note on her phone, in which she described Wellings as a “monster”, the 23-year-old hairdresser left it with a friend before she took her own life on 22 July 2022.
Prosecuting, Paul Greaney KC cited the suicide note at Wellings’s trial. In it, Ms Dawes said he had “killed [her]”.
“He ruined every bit of strength I had left,” the note said. “I had dreams. I had a future at one point. He was the first defendant in England to face trial for the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence.
Shortly after Ms Dawes wrote her note on her phone, in which she described Wellings as a “monster”, the 23-year-old hairdresser left it with a friend before she took her own life on 22 July 2022.
Prosecuting, Paul Greaney KC cited the suicide note at Wellings’s trial. In it, Ms Dawes said he had “killed [her]”.
“He ruined every bit of strength I had left,” the note said. “I had dreams. I had a future at one point. That was taken away from me.”
