Judge Robert Altham says "given the gravity of the Ryan Wellings' offending there's no prospect of a sentence other than immediate custody."

Ryan Wellings subjected Kiena Dawes, his vulnerable partner, to assault and years of domestic abuse and was jailed this week for assault and coercive and controlling behaviour

Ryan Wellings was the first person to stand trial accused of the unlawful killing of a partner who ended their own life after suffering domestic abuse.

Ryan Wellings, 30, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for controlling and coercive behaviour and assault - but was previously cleared of her manslaughter.

Ryan Wellings, 30, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison but was cleared of the unlawful killing of Kiena Dawes, who left a suicide note calling her partner a “monster” who had “killed me”. Wellings was seen smiling as he left the dock following his sentencing.

Ryan Wellings has been jailed for six and a half years for coercive and controlling behaviour towards a young mother who took her own life. | ITV News Granada

The young mother's relationship with Ryan Wellings, 30, turned from "a fairytale to a nightmare", the judge says, before she took her own life in 2022.

Ryan Wellings was cleared of the manslaughter of Kiena Dawes but found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Wellings assaulted her in a jealous rage. The same year he dragged her by her hair and demanded money from her. A pregnant Kiena also suffered a black eye when a