Man in court over fatal XL bully attack on grandma

Esther Martin, 68, was visiting a property in Jaywick when she was attacked and killed

A man has appeared in court facing a series of dangerous dog offences after a grandmother was fatally attacked by XL bullies.

Esther Martin, 68, was visiting a property in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, on 3 February when she was killed.

Ashley Warren, 40, is alleged to have been in charge of the "dangerously out of control" dogs called Beauty and Bear, but entered no plea to charges at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

Mr Warren was the first person to be charged with dog related offences after the XL bully breed was banned in England on 1 February.

Ashley Warren also faces two charges of having custody of fighting dogs

The defendant, previously of Hillman Avenue, Jaywick, will appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 19 September.

The dogs were destroyed at the scene by attending officers from Essex Police.

During the brief hearing earlier, Mr Warren, now of Walnut Road, Leyton, east London, entered no plea to charges of failing to ensure the dogs' welfare, having custody of fighting dogs and possessing a knife.

He admitted being in possession of cannabis on 3 February and was fined £80.

Ian Clift, defending, said it was a "small amount of cannabis for personal use", PA Media reported.

There was a "significant police presence" in the seaside village after the incident

An inquest hearing on 22 February was told Ms Martin was found unresponsive inside a property in Hillman Avenue and had sustained "unsurvivable" dog bite wounds.

Her medical cause of death was recorded as "dog bite wounds to the upper right limb".

Speaking in February, Ch Supt Stuart Weaver thanked members of the public who "bravely tried to save Esther before our officers arrived on scene".

"What you did was hugely courageous and a reflection of the values of the community of Jaywick," he said.