Former Leyton Tesco worker, Esther Martin, 68, was attacked by Ashley Warren’s XL bully dogs while she visited her grandson in Jaywick, Essex in February
A Leyton man accused of several dangerous dog offences after an ex-Leyton Tesco worker was fatally killed by his XL bully dogs has appeared in court.
Esther Martin, 68, was attacked by the dogs – reportedly named in court papers as Beauty and Bears – on 3rd February in the coastal Essex town of Jaywick.
Appearing last Thursday (22nd August) at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, Ashley Warren, of Walnut Road, Leyton, entered no plea to charges of failing to ensure the dogs’ welfare, having custody of fighting dogs, and possessing a knife.
Warren did however admit to being in possession of cannabis on 3rd February and was fined £80.
He is the first person to ever be charged with dog related offences after the XL bully breed was banned in England on 1st February.
Esther, from Woodford Green, was attacked by Warren’s two dogs as she visited her eleven-year-old grandson in the seaside village.
Police arrived at the house in minutes, but Esther was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Esther had worked at Tesco’s Leyton superstore until her retirement around two years ago.
Warren was the partner of Esther’s late daughter, and is the father of her grandson whom she had been visiting. Speaking to the BBC following the attack, Esther’s daughter Sonia said her nephew “ran out of the house screaming for help” and said some neighbours then intervened by grabbing spades to try to “fight off” the dogs.
Esther had reportedly used a broom to distract the dogs’ six puppies from fighting, which is when two adult dogs are believed to have attacked her.
Warren is next due to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 19th September.
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