The former partner of a young mother who took her own life has been found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence but cleared of her manslaughter.
Ryan Wellings, from Bispham in Lancashire, became the first defendant to be tried before a jury accused of the unlawful killing of his partner after her suicide following domestic violence.
Wellings, a 30-year-old landscape gardener, was found not guilty of manslaughter and guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022 after a trial at Preston Crown Court.
He had denied all charges.
During the trial the jury heard Ms Dawes, a 23-year-old hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, left a note saying “I was murdered” and that Wellings had “killed [her]” before taking her own life on 22 July 2022.
The defence said her medical records showed she had a history of mental health problems starting from the age of 13, frequent drug and alcohol use, thoughts of suicide and attempts to take her own life before and after she met Wellings.
Jurors heard Ms Dawes had suffered two years of violence and abuse at the hands of Wellings.
She had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, resulting in increased impulsivity, poor self-esteem and difficulty in relationships, a condition allegedly exploited by the defendant.
Wellings told jurors he had never intentionally hit her, adding that any injuries she had sustained were the result of him “restraining” her when she attacked him.
