A wannabe drill rapper has been charged with the death of a grandmother who was mauled to death by two ‘unregistered’ XL Bullies in front of her own grandson.
Ashley Warren, 40, has been charged over the death of Esther Martin who was killed by the two dogs in Essex in February, in the first case of its kind since new laws on owning XL Bullies came into force this year, Essex Police said.
Ms Martin suffered unsurvivable wounds in the attack at a house in Jaywick in Essex in February, while visiting her grandson.
On Thursday, Essex Police said Warren, of Leyton, north east London, has been charged with two counts of owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and two counts of possession or having custody of a fighting dog.
Ashley Warren, 40, has been charged over the death of Esther Martin (pictured) who was killed by two XL Bully dogs in Essex in February
Warren is facing two charges of owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and two counts of possession or having custody of a fighting dog
Warren, formerly of Hillman Avenue, Jaywick, also faces two charges under the Animal Welfare Act, and single counts of possession of a bladed article and possession of a Class B drug.
He was arrested following the death of Ms Martin who was killed while visiting her 11-year-old grandson.
It was previously reported that she had attempted to calm the dogs – named Beauty and Bear – with a broom before they attacked.
Her grandson was seen running out of the house and screaming for help, witnesses said.
The dogs were shot dead by armed police officers who raced to the home in Jaywick and arrived within minutes of the 999 call.
Before their arrival, a man was earlier seen smashing a window with a brick in a desperate attempt to save her.
Ms Martin’s wannabe rapper son-in-law previously insisted his dogs were ‘not aggressive’.
But one of her daughters, Sonia Martin, claimed the pets that killed her mother were an ‘unregistered’ XL bully breed.
One of the dogs shot dead by police which Warren is accused of owning
The dogs, named Beauty and Bear, were killed by police after attacking Ms Martin earlier this year
The wannabe drill rapper and son-in-law of Ms Martin is also known as Wyless Man
It emerged after her death that she had previously raised concerns over the animals with Warren.
At the time of the incident, the dogs were caring for six puppies after Beauty gave birth, and it is thought Ms Martin had been attempting to stop the puppies from fighting with the broom.
Emergency services and neighbours battled to save Ms Martin’s life, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her medical cause of death was recorded as ‘dog bite wounds to the upper right limb’.
Locals of Jaywick Sands, near Clacton-on-Sea, claimed the dogs were aggressive and were always ‘barking and trying to get through the gate’.
Warren is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday August 22.
Essex Police confirmed it was the first case to be charged since new laws on owning XL Bullies came into force on February 1.
