An Essex man has been found guilty of owning or being in charge of an XL bully dog which mauled 68-year-old Esther Martin to death.
The trial of Ashley Warren, 41, came to an end today at Chelmsford Crown Court where he was found responsible for the dangerous dogs at his then home in Jaywick, Essex, on February 3, 2024.
The aspiring rapper's XL Bully dogs Bear and Beauty, along with their eight puppies, killed Ms Martin, Warren's grandmother while looking after her 11-year-old grandson.
During the trial, prosecutor Chris Paxton KC told the court: "Such was the ferocity of the dogs that police officers and emergency services were unable to enter the home until the police deployed and used their Tasers".
The mauling came just days after the Government made it illegal to own an XL bully in England and Wales unless possessing a certificate of exemption.
Mr Warren had not attempted to get a certificate for any of the 10 dogs he owned, the court heard during his trial.
This judgement comes after the dangerous dog owner pleaded not guilty to being the owner of the dog, Bear, which caused the injury resulting in Ms Martin's death.
He also denied being a person in charge of a dog named Beauty, which also caused injury resulting in death whilst dangerously out of control in a private place.
Ashley Warren has been found guilty of owning an illegal XL bully which killed his grandmother
| PADuring the trial, the prosecution said Warren accepted that he owned Bear and was in charge of Beauty, which was his girlfriend’s dog and which he had been housing, feeding and looking after.
He also accepted that both dogs were dangerously out of control in his house, the court heard.
Mr Warren denied the charge on the grounds that he reasonably believed that Ms Martin was a "fit and proper person to be in charge" of the dogs, Mr Paxton said.
He also denied having a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton railway station on February 3, 2024 - the day of the mauling.
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Esther Martin, 68, was mauled to death by the illegal dogs | FAMILY HANDOUTThe dangerous dog owner argued it the blade was a prop in a music video that he had been making that day in London, the court heard.
Days before Ms Martin was fatally attacked, on January 23, 2024, Mr Warren was interview by police about an unrelated incident.
A clip of the interview was played to jurors during the trial, with the defendant saying: "It’s a shame about all the laws and all of that but, you know, as long as I don’t breed them...now I suppose it’s OK.
"I was going to keep four of them for myself but obviously now with all the stuff, I’ll just keep him.
"My boy’s got papers already, my Bear.
"These bullies, I’m telling you, it’s a shame about what everyone thinks about them and everything man, because they are one of the friendliest dogs that I know. I’ve had a lot of breeds [of] dogs and these dogs are so loyal and friendly it’s unbelievable.
"I’ve only seen them try to attack people when someone’s tried to attack the owners. So yeah, it’s just mad to me."
A Ring doorbell clip from January 31, 2024, the deadline for owners to apply for the XL bully ownership exemption, captured Mr Warren running down the residential street outside his house after one of his dogs, Bear, had escaped.
The defendant could be seen leaning backwards to carry the dog that was not muzzled or on a lead.
After playing the video in court, Mr Paxton said: "If the defendant struggled, as this video shows he did, how would the 5ft 3in 68-year-old Esther Martin cope with these XL bully adult dogs?"
Mr Warren had asked Ms Martin to mind the animals so that he could travel to London to film a music video, the prosecutor said.
He has been released on bail as he awaits sentencing.