Man said 10 XL bullies 'were too much', court told

A man said 10 XL bully dogs at his home were "too much" days before two of the animals mauled a woman to death, a court heard.

Ashley Warren, 41, is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court after pleading not guilty to owning or being in charge of two XL bully dogs which caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place.

Esther Martin, 68, suffered "dozens" of fatal bites after being left with the two dogs, named Beauty and Bear, and eight puppies of the same breed, at Warren's home on Hillman Avenue in Jaywick, Essex, on 3 February 2024.

Warren had asked Martin to mind the animals and a child so he could film a music video in London, the court heard.

Warren denies the charge on the grounds that he reasonably believed Martin was a fit and proper person to be in charge of the dogs, the court heard.

Prosecutor Chris Paxton KC said Warren left the dogs in Martin's care despite her having mobility issues, a lack of dog training and "little to no experience" of being left alone with them for a prolonged period of time.

Hours after she arrived at the property she sustained injuries including a bite through the tissue of her arm and a "complete fracturing" of the bone, jurors heard.

On 30 January 2024, days before the incident, Warren wrote to his estranged partner Jade McSeveney: "Dogs got go by Monday. Your half... or will have to phone RSPCA because too much for me."

Another message to McSeveney, who moved out of the Hillman Avenue address a few weeks prior to the incident, on the same day read: "You coming for your half dogs? Too much for me now."

When giving evidence, McSeveney told jurors: "They're big dogs, she [Martin] wouldn't be able to walk them."

When questioned if the dogs had bitten anyone before, McSeveney said Bear had "nipped" a neighbour on the stomach who had "smacked him on the nose".

On the day of the incident Warren said in a voicenote to McSeveney : "I need you to go round to the house to look after the dogs. I need you round there straight away. They're attacking Esther."

The incident came two days after the government made it a criminal offence to own an XL bully in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption.

The defendant had not attempted to get a certificate for any of the 10 dogs, the court heard.

Warren has also denied having a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton-on-Sea railway station on 3 February 2024.

The defendant accepted he had a knife but said it was a prop in a music video he had been making that day in London, the court heard.

The trial continues.

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