Man accused of abuse said 'only a slap' - trial hears

Kiena Dawes died on a railway line in July 2022

A man accused of driving a young mother to take her own life said "it was only a slap" after her friend challenged him over alleged domestic violence, a court has heard.

Ryan Wellings, 30, is accused of subjecting Kiena Dawes, 23, to repeated abuse and violence during their two-and-a-half year relationship, a jury at Preston Crown Court has been told.

Ms Dawes, a hairdresser from Fleetwood, Lancashire, left her nine-month-old daughter with a friend, along with a note, and took her own life on 22 July 2022.

Mr Wellings, of Bispham, Lancashire, denies manslaughter, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour to Miss Dawes between January 2020 and her death on July 22, 2022.

The court previously heard Ms Dawes, 23, had a history of fragile mental health, and left the note which claimed "I was murdered" and that Mr Wellings had "killed me".

On the fourth day of the trial the jury heard from Kurt Bradshaw, a friend of Ms Dawes' older brother, who first introduced the couple to each other at a birthday party in late 2019.

'Downplayed it'

Within a week of meeting, Mr Wellings had a tattoo of Ms Dawes' name done on his neck and within three months had proposed marriage.

Mr Bradshaw said he had known Ms Dawes since childhood and she regarded him as a "big brother".

When he was told Mr Wellings had allegedly attacked his partner, Mr Bradshaw gave him a call, the court heard.

Adam Birkby, prosecuting, asked the witness: "What did you say to him?"

"I threatened him," Mr Bradshaw said.

"He downplayed it by saying he did not do it. It was only a slap.

"I told him I didn't care and didn't believe him and I would sort him out when he came to Blackpool."

Later he said he bumped into Ms Dawes again in Blackpool, who told him she wanted out of the relationship as she was, "sick of being hit, sick of being terrorised".

Mr Bradshaw said another time he was told Ms Dawes had been assaulted again and he, with her brother, searched pubs in Fleetwood where Mr Wellings drank, to beat him up, but could not find him.

Prosecutors told the jury Mr Wellings' alleged behaviour of bullying and violence was used to demean and "grind" down Miss Dawes, leading to her taking her own life.

Jurors were given a warning before being shown photos of Ms Dawes, after an alleged final attack by Mr Wellings, 11 days before her death, showing her head and face covered with blood.

Mr Wellings' defence claims Ms Dawes' accusations against him are either untrue or exaggerated, and any injuries she suffered before her death were a result of his attempts to restrain her, or accidental.

The trial was adjourned until next Monday.

Additional reporting by PA.