Man guilty of owning XL bully in fatal attack in first case since ban on breed

An aspiring rapper has been found guilty of owning one of two XL bully dogs that mauled a pensioner to death, in the first fatal attack case since a ban on the breed came into force.

Ashley Warren, 41, was charged after two dogs – named Beauty and Bear – killed Esther Martin, 68, on February 3, 2024, two days after the start of the ban on February 1, 2024.

The law makes it a criminal offence to own or possess an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption.

Warren’s trial at Chelmsford Crown Court was told that he left Ms Martin with the two dogs, and eight puppies of the same breed, at his then home in Hillman Avenue in Jaywick, Essex.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Warren asked the 5ft 3in woman to mind the animals so that he could travel to London to film a music video.

This was despite her mobility issues, lack of dog training and “little to no experience” of being left alone with them for a prolonged period of time, Mr Paxton said.

Hours after her arrival Ms Martin sustained “dozens and dozens” of injuries, including a bite through the tissue of her arm and a “complete fracturing” of the bone, the court heard.

The prosecutor told jurors: “It was, you may think, a tragedy waiting to happen, given the imbalance that arose between 68-year-old Esther, short in stature, and the towering power of these banned XL bully dogs.”

Police had been to the property about an unrelated matter 11 days before the attack, and a video recording, played to jurors, showed Warren telling the officer “it’s a shame about the laws” and “my boy’s got papers already”.

Mr Paxton said: “If that was a reference to an exemption certificate, that was a lie.”

Warren accepted in court that he did not hold exemption certificates and had not applied for any.

In the footage, XL bullies play as the defendant tells the officer that the public perception of the breed is “mad to me”.

He adds: “These dogs are so friendly and loyal it’s unbelievable.

“It’s like I’ve only seen them ever attack people when someone’s tried to attack the owners.”

He also told the officer: “You get them little poodles that come up to you and go rah, rah, rah, you know – they’re more aggressive.”

Warren pleaded not guilty to being the owner of a dog named Bear which caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place, and to being a person in charge of a dog named Beauty which did the same.

After deliberating for 14 hours and 28 minutes, jurors found him guilty of being the owner of Bear by a majority of 11 to one on Thursday.

He was cleared of being in charge of Beauty, which belonged to his girlfriend.

Warren, now of Addlestone, Surrey, said in evidence that he “never seen this coming in a million years” and “I would never have left Esther with the dogs if I thought they were dangerous”.

He did not react as the verdicts were read out, but later ran away from reporters who tried to ask him questions as he left court.

The defendant, who wore a grey Nike hoodie and tracksuit bottoms in the dock, was found guilty by a majority of 11 to one of having a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton railway station on February 3 2024, after officers found a knife which he said was a prop in a music video he had been making that day in London.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who led the investigation, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to ensure Ashley Warren has been held accountable, but I know that no verdict will ever bring Esther back.

“I know her death has had, and continues to have, a huge impact on her family – and my thoughts are with them today as they continue to grieve the loss of their mother.

“Esther’s death was a needless tragedy and one that has affected the whole community in Jaywick.

“These animals we were able to prove were large, powerful, and difficult to control. Esther died in the most horrific of circumstances and Ashley Warren is culpable for her death.

“Our investigation established Warren was illegally owning the dogs, keeping them in poor conditions, and struggling to look after them.

“He knew Esther well. He would have been aware of her mobility and health issues and that if he struggled to control the dogs, she definitely would do too.

“His assertion that Esther had looked after the animals before was disingenuous because he knew she had never cared for them without another adult present.

“He selfishly took advantage of her good nature and left her with dangerous animals. That decision, ultimately, cost Esther her life.”

Warren was granted conditional bail and is due to be sentenced at the same court on April 1.