Arrest warrant for man whose XL bully hurt girl

Farhat Ajaz, 61, has admitted being in charge of an XL bully that injured an 11-year-old girl

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an XL bully owner whose dog hurt an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham, after he failed to appear in court for sentencing.

Farhat Ajaz, 61, pleaded guilty in March to three counts of owning a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control.

It followed an incident in Bordesley Green on 9 September last year, in which the girl suffered shoulder and arm injuries during an attack by the dog, Tyson.

Ajaz, of Bordesley Close, Birmingham, was due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, but he did not show up for the hearing.

In addition to the girl, whose identity is protected by a court order, two men were injured after the dog twice broke free from its collar.

The case was adjourned until Wednesday at 14:00 BST, when Judge Samantha Crabb issued a bench warrant not backed for bail after accepting an application from prosecutor Robert Cowley.

The warrant means, if arrested, Ajaz will be held in custody to appear for sentencing.

Defence counsel Andrew Baker said there was a GP note explaining Ajaz was "unfit for work for a considerable time".

However, Judge Crabb said she could see no reason why Ajaz could not attend court for sentencing.