A landscape gardener who terrorised his fiancée for years received a longer prison term after it emerged his new girlfriend instructed him on how to appear remorseful in court. Kiena Dawes,the victim, had taken her own life on July 22, 2022,and left a note accusing him of murder. The case marked England’s first trial for unlawful killing following a partner’s suicide.

New Girlfriend’s Coaching on Court Crying

During sentencing, the judge heard that the defendant’s current partner, whose name was not disclosed, rehearsed tearful statements with him before the hearing. According to the report, she told him to "cry" and to adopt a sorrowful demeanor to sway the jury. This manipulation was highlighted as a factor in the decision to increase his custodial term .

First English Trial for Unlawful Killing After Partner’s Suicide

The prosecution framed the case as the first instance in England where a man faced charges of unlawful killing after his partner’s suicide, a legal nuance that has drawn attention from domestic‑violence advocates. As the source noted, the charge reflects a shift toward holding abusers accountable even when victims end their own lives.

July 22, 2022 Suicide Note Directly Blames Abuser

Kiena Dawes’ suicide note, discovered after her death, explicitly stated she felt “murdered” by the gardener. The note became a pivotal piece of evidence, corroborating testimonies of prolonged abuse and countering the defendant’s later attempts to feign remorse.

Sentencing Details and Increased Jail Time

The court originally handed down a term that many observers considered lenient given the severity of the abuse.. After the girlfriend’s coaching was revealed, the judge imposed additional years, emphasizing that “manufactured displays of emotion do not erase the gravity of the crimes .” According to the article, the revised sentence now exceeds the original by several years.

Who Remains Unaccountable? Gaps in the Investigation

While the trial focused on the gardener’s direct actions, the role of his new girlfriend remains legally ambiguous. No charges have been filed against her for perjury or obstruction, and law‑enforcement officials have not commented on whether an inquiry is underway. As the source reports, the lack of clarity leaves open the question of whether accomplice liability could be pursued.