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Woman cleared of dog attack death
A woman accused over a fatal dog attack on her granddaughter has been found not guilty of her manslaughter.
Ellie Lawrenson, five, was fatally mauled by a pit bull terrier at Jackie Simpson's home in Knowles House Avenue, St Helens, on New Year's Day.
Ms Simpson, 45, allowed the dog into the house, the jury at Liverpool Crown Court was told.
She denied manslaughter through gross negligence and was found not guilty by the jury on Tuesday.
Ellie suffered 72 injuries in the prolonged attack by her uncle's pit bull, Reuben.
The dog, which had been involved in two other attacks, locked its jaws around the child's throat and shook her.
'Strong emotions'
Hearing the verdict, Ms Simpson wiped her eyes.
Speaking to the jury, the Judge, Mr Justice Royce, said: "This is an unusual case which had given rise to very strong emotions.
"Suffice to say, the greatest sentence passed in this case is a life sentence of regret this lady has passed on herself."
Colin Davies, Assistant District Crown Prosecutor for Merseyside, said the jury had found Ms Simpson's actions did not make her criminally responsible for Ellie's death.
"There is no doubt - and it was accepted by the defence - that Jacqueline Simpson owed a duty of care towards her granddaughter," he said.
"However, the jury by its verdict have accepted that, if there was a breach of her duty of care it was not such that it amounted to a crime.
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The whole family should have been held responsible for this tragic death.
Lisa
Woman cleared of dog attack death
A woman accused over a fatal dog attack on her granddaughter has been found not guilty of her manslaughter.
Ellie Lawrenson, five, was fatally mauled by a pit bull terrier at Jackie Simpson's home in Knowles House Avenue, St Helens, on New Year's Day.
Ms Simpson, 45, allowed the dog into the house, the jury at Liverpool Crown Court was told.
She denied manslaughter through gross negligence and was found not guilty by the jury on Tuesday.
Ellie suffered 72 injuries in the prolonged attack by her uncle's pit bull, Reuben.
The dog, which had been involved in two other attacks, locked its jaws around the child's throat and shook her.
'Strong emotions'
Hearing the verdict, Ms Simpson wiped her eyes.
Speaking to the jury, the Judge, Mr Justice Royce, said: "This is an unusual case which had given rise to very strong emotions.
"Suffice to say, the greatest sentence passed in this case is a life sentence of regret this lady has passed on herself."
Colin Davies, Assistant District Crown Prosecutor for Merseyside, said the jury had found Ms Simpson's actions did not make her criminally responsible for Ellie's death.
"There is no doubt - and it was accepted by the defence - that Jacqueline Simpson owed a duty of care towards her granddaughter," he said.
"However, the jury by its verdict have accepted that, if there was a breach of her duty of care it was not such that it amounted to a crime.
----
The whole family should have been held responsible for this tragic death.
Lisa
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