Jury out in Kiena Dawes manslaughter trial

Jurors have been told Kiena Dawes left a note in July 2022 saying "I was murdered" and that Ryan Wellings had "killed [her]"

The jury in the trial of a man accused of the manslaughter of a woman who took her own life after he allegedly subjected her to sustained domestic abuse has been sent out to consider its verdict.

Ryan Wellings, from Bispham in Lancashire, is on trial at Preston Crown Court for the manslaughter of his partner Kiena Dawes, who died on 22 July 2022.

The court has heard the 23-year-old hairdresser, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, wrote a note saying "I was murdered" and that Mr Wellings had "killed [her]".

Mr Wellings, a 30-year-old landscape gardener, denies manslaughter, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2020 and July 2022.

If you or someone you know are having feelings of despair or are emotionally distressed, BBC Action Line has information on organisations that can offer advice and support.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [e-mail] and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.