Police abuse hearing on Keena Dawes abuse

Three police officers face misconduct hearings following the death of a woman who suffered long-term domestic abuse.

Keana Dawes, 23, left a note on her mobile phone saying her partner Ryan Wellings, 30, “killed me” before taking her own life in Barnacre, near Preston, on July 22, 2022.

A Lancashire Police officer has been charged with disciplinary charges for alleged gross misconduct, while two others have been charged with misconduct in relation to contact with police before the death of a Fleetwood hairdresser.

Wellings, of Bispham, Lancashire, was on Monday Found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence But he was acquitted of murder.

It can also now be revealed that Wellings’ mother Lisa Green and girlfriend Emma Scott are under police investigation for allegedly “coaching” him on how to give evidence during the six-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

Jurors heard that Ms Dawes complained that landscape gardener Wellings had breached her bail conditions by contacting her after he was arrested for attacking her two weeks before her death.

However, a police officer rejected the hairdresser’s complaint, and she was also urged to delete the Facebook post in which she had written about the abuse she faced. In that social media post he did not name Wellings as the person responsible.

In the note on her phone, Ms Dawes wrote: “I hope that my life will be saved by swift action by the police services.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said three officers were to answer for themselves. The police watchdog said the fourth officer had been acquitted.

A disciplinary hearing will take place in due course and Lancashire Police said “lessons will be learned” from the case.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Winstanley said: “My thoughts are first and foremost with Keena’s loved ones.

“I hope these guilty verdicts give them some sense that justice has been done.

“We have referred ourselves to the IOPC in relation to the contact made by our officers prior to Keana’s death in July 2022.

“Their investigation concluded last year and the three officers will now face misconduct proceedings following the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

“It would not be appropriate to comment further on those proceedings at this point.”

Meanwhile the lead prosecutor in the trial, Paul Greaney Casey, said there were reports of Wellings discussing the case with his mother and sister while on remand in HMP Preston.

Wellings was in the middle of giving evidence – and despite being entitled to speak to family and friends, he was not legally allowed to discuss his case with them.

Mr Greaney told the court: “This will be investigated by the police because, prima facie, there has been a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.”

Judge Robert Altham banned both women from entering the courtroom until the jury returned its verdict.