Abuser, girlfriend and mum charged in police probe

A man who abused his vulnerable partner before she killed herself has been charged with perverting the course of justice - along with his girlfriend and his mother.

Ryan Wellings, 31, was jailed for six and a half years in January for assaulting and coercing Kiena Dawes, who died on a railway line in Lancashire in 2022.

The mother-of-one left a note claiming he was a "monster" who had attacked her physically and emotionally for more than two years.

Lancashire Police said Wellings, his mother Lisa Green, 52 and his girlfriend Emma Croft, 28, had been charged with committing an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice and were due before magistrates in Preston on 28 October.

The force said the offences allegedly occurred between 16 December and 3 January 2025 during a criminal trial at Preston Crown Court.

During Wellings' trial, it was revealed that police were investigating if his mother and Ms Croft allegedly "coached" him on how to give evidence during his six-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

While he was entitled to speak to family and friends, he was not legally allowed to discuss his case with them.

During the trial, lead prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said there had been reports of Wellings talking about the case with both women while he was on remand at HMP Preston.

Wellings was cleared of manslaughter but convicted of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.

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