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25/04/2007
Uncle pleads guilty to owning killer dog
The uncle of a five-year-old girl who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier has pleaded guilty to owning a dangerous dog.
Ellie Lawrenson died after being attacked by the dog at her grandmother, Jacqueline Simpson's home in St Helens, Merseyside, in the early hours of New Year's Day.
She suffered fatal head and neck injuries in the attack.
Police marksmen shot the dog dead at the scene.
Kiel Simpson, 23, pleaded guilty to owning a dog banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
He was granted unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced on May 16. He has been warned that he could face a jail sentence.
The court heard that the Simpson's dog had been banished from the house after it attacked his 19-year-old sister Kelsey last November. She needed hospital treatment for puncture wounds to her thigh after the attack.
The dog had also been involved in an attack on a neighbour's dog, a Jack Russell, last May.
Michael Fogarty, defending, said that his client had attempted to find someone else to take the dog following the attack on his sister. He said that Simpson felt "morally responsible" for Ellie's death and that he "wanted to crawl into a hole".
Mrs Simpson, 46, also appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, charged with the unlawful killing of Ellie.
She did not enter a plea, but her defence counsel indicated that she would plead not guilty at a later stage.
Mrs Simpson is also charged with possessing heroin. She was granted unconditional bail.
The next hearing is set to take place on August 10, with the provisional date of September 3 set for trial.
(KMcA/JM)
Ellie Lawrenson died after being attacked by the dog at her grandmother, Jacqueline Simpson's home in St Helens, Merseyside, in the early hours of New Year's Day.
She suffered fatal head and neck injuries in the attack.
Police marksmen shot the dog dead at the scene.
Kiel Simpson, 23, pleaded guilty to owning a dog banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
He was granted unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced on May 16. He has been warned that he could face a jail sentence.
The court heard that the Simpson's dog had been banished from the house after it attacked his 19-year-old sister Kelsey last November. She needed hospital treatment for puncture wounds to her thigh after the attack.
The dog had also been involved in an attack on a neighbour's dog, a Jack Russell, last May.
Michael Fogarty, defending, said that his client had attempted to find someone else to take the dog following the attack on his sister. He said that Simpson felt "morally responsible" for Ellie's death and that he "wanted to crawl into a hole".
Mrs Simpson, 46, also appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, charged with the unlawful killing of Ellie.
She did not enter a plea, but her defence counsel indicated that she would plead not guilty at a later stage.
Mrs Simpson is also charged with possessing heroin. She was granted unconditional bail.
The next hearing is set to take place on August 10, with the provisional date of September 3 set for trial.
(KMcA/JM)
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03 April 2007
Relative charged over dog maul death girl
The grandmother of a five-year-old girl who was attacked and killed by a pit bull terrier-type dog has been charged with her manslaughter. Ellie Lawrenson suffered severe head and neck injuries in the attack at the home of Jacqueline Simpson, 46, in St Helens, Merseyside in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Relative charged over dog maul death girl
The grandmother of a five-year-old girl who was attacked and killed by a pit bull terrier-type dog has been charged with her manslaughter. Ellie Lawrenson suffered severe head and neck injuries in the attack at the home of Jacqueline Simpson, 46, in St Helens, Merseyside in the early hours of New Year's Day.
11 January 2007
Funeral for girl mauled by pit bull
The funeral of the five-year-old girl who died after being attacked by a pit bull terrier-type dog has been held today. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in St Helens, Merseyside in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Funeral for girl mauled by pit bull
The funeral of the five-year-old girl who died after being attacked by a pit bull terrier-type dog has been held today. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in St Helens, Merseyside in the early hours of New Year's Day.
09 January 2007
Killer dog tested for drugs
The dog which attacked and killed a five-year-old girl in Merseyside on New Year's Day has been tested for illegal drugs. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the pit bull terrier-type dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in St Helens. Her grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, was also injured during the attack.
Killer dog tested for drugs
The dog which attacked and killed a five-year-old girl in Merseyside on New Year's Day has been tested for illegal drugs. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the pit bull terrier-type dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in St Helens. Her grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, was also injured during the attack.
16 May 2007
Uncle jailed for owning killer dog
The uncle of a girl who died after being mauled by his dog has been jailed for eight weeks. Kiel Simpson, 23, had pleaded guilty to owning a pit bull - banned under the Dangerous Dog Act - last month.
Uncle jailed for owning killer dog
The uncle of a girl who died after being mauled by his dog has been jailed for eight weeks. Kiel Simpson, 23, had pleaded guilty to owning a pit bull - banned under the Dangerous Dog Act - last month.
11 September 2007
Grandmother Cleared Over Child Dog Attack Death
The grandmother of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier on New Year's Day, has been cleared of her manslaughter. Jacqueline Simpson, 45, had been looking after Ellie at her home in St Helens in Merseyside at the time of the attack.
Grandmother Cleared Over Child Dog Attack Death
The grandmother of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier on New Year's Day, has been cleared of her manslaughter. Jacqueline Simpson, 45, had been looking after Ellie at her home in St Helens in Merseyside at the time of the attack.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
