The killer dog could be heard attacking 22-month-old Daniel-Jay as a desperate mother called 999 for help, Essex Coroner's Court has been told. 

Det Insp Gary Biddle said: "Jade said she knew instantly that Archie was dead. She decided to save Daniel, ran into the kitchen with him, grabbed the phone and dialled 999.

"The dog was still having a go at Daniel, grabbed him off the kitchen counter. 

"On the 999 call you can hear him attacking Daniel and you can hear Jade shouting and screaming, trying to get the dog off."

Specialist dog handlers were called to remove the dog, called Bailey, from the house in Harwich Road, Colchester. 

Det Insp Gary Biddle said specialist equipment had to be used because of Bailey's continued aggressive behaviour. 

"It never stopped for the whole time until it was put to sleep," he told the inquest into the baby's death.

Police entering the house for the first time after the fatal dog attack found four-month-old Archie lying on the floor face down with significant injuries, the inquest was told. 

Continuing his evidence at Essex Coroner's Court, Det Insp Gary Biddle said Archie's brother, Daniel-Jay was sitting on the sofa with significant head injuries in a very upset state. 

"The children were removed to Colchester General Hospital," he said.

Archie was pronounced dead at 16:02, about an hour after the attack happened. 

Speaking at today's inquest, Det Insp Gary Biddle said the boys' mother barricaded the dog in the conservatory and had to hold the door shut to prevent it from continuing to attack her children. 

"Jade called the ambulance service and did a heroic job removing the dog from the house to a conservatory area," he said. 

"Because of the behaviour of the dog, being very aggressive at the time, Jade barricaded herself against the door to stop the dog getting back into the house. 

"She could not leave the door and let the ambulance service in. 

"Fortunately police attended very quickly. They shouted through the letter box to understand why she couldn't get to the door and she shouted out why. 

 "We were left with no option but to force entry," he concluded. 

The mother of the two children, attacked by their aunt's dog, has been praised for her bravery at Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford. 

Archie Joe Darby died after he was savaged by the animal at the house in Colchester on 13 October - but mum Jade Rogers managed to save her other son Daniel-Jay, although he was seriously injured.

Essex coroner Eleanor McGann praised her for her "bravery" in fighting off the animal.  

The dog, called Bailey, entered the living room and growled before first attacking Archie's elder brother Daniel-Jay, an inquest has heard.

The dog grabbed the 22-month-old's head and started shaking it.

His mother fought to stop that attack and it was then that the dog snatched Archie from his mother's arms.

The dog then dragged the four-month-old boy around the room, causing fatal head injuries. 

Richard Daniel
BBC Look East

A coroner has recorded a verdict of accidental death after a four-month-old boy was killed by a family dog in Colchester.

Archie Darby was attacked at his aunt's home in Harwich Road on 13 October. 

Archie's mother, Jade Rogers, made desperate attempts to save her son who was snatched from her arms by a Staffordshire bull terrier type dog that belonged to her sister, the inquest in Chelmsford heard.

Archie's brother, Daniel-Jay Darby was left with serious injuries. 

The death of a baby boy, killed when a dog snatched him from his mother's arms, was accidental, a coroner has concluded.

More follows....

Image source, Essex Police

It's been announced that Essex bus services, operated by Arriva Southern Counties, will be disrupted next Monday due to strike action. 

Members of Unite are walking out for 24 hours at several depots, including Southend, Colchester and Harlow.

It's in a row over a possible mystery shopper scheme and alleged bullying at the firm. 

Bosses say that doesn't exist and they're disappointed by the industrial action. 

After being shortlisted for League One's Manager of the Month for November, there was no early Christmas present for Southend United boss Phil Brown. 

After cup defeats at Millwall and Stevenage, Southend had a run of three wins and a draw in League One.

The accolade has been handed to Scunthorpe's Graham Alexander, external.

Pupils at a primary school in Witham are having an extended weekend, after a burst water main closed the school today.

Image source, Google

There will be no classes held at the Elm Hall Primary School, external in Conrad Road today. 

The lack of water is also said to be affecting nearby homes.

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

The cause of death of two young people found dead inside a car in Chelmsford is still unknown, an inquest has heard.

Image source, Essex Police

Thomas Putt, 20, and Nikki Willis, 23, were discovered in Fox Crescent on Monday, but were pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest was opened and adjourned at Chelmsford Coroners' Court this morning.

The date for the full inquest into both deaths has been set for March 2017.

A 14-year-old year boy has been seriously hurt after a minibus and two other cars crashed on the A12 last night, police say. 

It happened on the northbound carriageway at Colchester between junction 27 and junctino 28 at about 18:20.

The boy, who was a passenger in the minibus, was taken to Colchester Hospital along with a woman in her 80s, who also suffered serious injuries.

Crumble, a pug who was paralysed after being thrown from a car, has wagged her tail and is receiving "lots of TLC", the RSPCA says.

We checked with the animal charity this morning, and they told us that Crumble is in good spirits.

Fingers crossed. 

Entertainer Michael Barrymore's arrest over the death of a man at his home was unlawful because the officer involved had not been fully briefed, court papers filed by Essex Police admit.

Image source, PA

The former star is suing the force for damages after he was detained in 2007 over the death of Stuart Lubbock in 2001.

Mr Lubbock was found dead in a swimming pool at Mr Barrymore's home at Roydon near Harlow.

In High Court documents, the force admits the detective who was supposed to arrest the star was delayed.

The force said it had wanted to question Mr Barrymore, whose real name is Michael Parker, and two other men over the rape and murder of Mr Lubbock after new evidence emerged.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

A cloudy and misty start to the day however, during the morning, some brighter spells may develop. Most parts should stay dry throughout the day with a high of 13C (55F).

Here's my full forecast...

There are more details on the BBC Weather website.  

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Happy Friday!

Join us in the run up to the weekend with the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the county. 

As ever, you can share your stories via email, Twitter, external or Facebook, external.  

A car owner whose vehicle was written off after a bin lorry knocked down a car port outside his house, tells of the shock of losing his Audi.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Regular updates for Essex Live have now finished - here are the top stories from today: 

• A man who shot a businessman during a burglary at his mansion home has been found guilty of attempted murder
• It's not clear whether a pug that was thrown from the window of a car will survive, the RSPCA says
• A 61-year-old cancer patient who lost most of his penis to a 'flesh-eating' superbug following routine surgery is taking legal action against an Essex hospital

We return at 08:00 - have a great evening.

There's hope for the pug that was paralysed after being thrown the window of a car in Writtle.

An RSPCA officer said she has since managed to wag her tail.