XL Bully Owner Testifies He Never Expected Fatal Attack
An aspiring rapper whose XL bully dogs killed a grandmother has told jurors he 'never thought in a million years' the animals would attack someone. Ashley Warren, 41, left 68-year-old Esther Martin at his home in Jaywick, Essex, with 10 of the dogs on February 3, 2024, just two days after the breed was banned in the UK.
Courtroom Testimony Details
Giving evidence at Chelmsford Crown Court, Warren described the dogs as 'loving and friendly' and insisted they 'weren't raised to attack or bite.' He emotionally stated, 'I never seen this coming in a million years. I would never have left Esther with the dogs if I thought they were dangerous.' Warren, now residing in Addlestone, Surrey, had left Ms. Martin with two adult dogs named Beauty and Bear, along with eight puppies of the same breed, at his Hillman Avenue home.
During the trial, Warren broke down while a video of some puppies was played, requiring tissues from the court usher to wipe away tears. He explained that he had asked Ms. Martin to mind the animals so he could travel to London to film a music video, saying he was going to 'shoot a video and meet up with my lady friend.'
Details of the Fatal Incident
Warren said he instructed Ms. Martin to let the dogs out into the front garden two or three times for bathroom breaks, not to walk them, and mentioned a broom to separate the puppies due to minor fighting. While in London, he received a panicked call from a child in the house, crying that the dogs had attacked Ms. Martin. Warren recounted, 'At this stage I'm panicking, I'm breaking down myself, I'm telling (the child) to get out of the house to get to somewhere safe.' He immediately took a train back to Clacton and called a local man for help, stating, 'I tried to get a strong man to go round and try to save her.'
Legal and Financial Challenges
Discussing the XL bully ban that took effect on February 1, 2024, Warren admitted he knew the dogs needed to be neutered, muzzled, and leashed to be walked legally. However, he claimed financial constraints prevented compliance, saying, 'I'm on PIP (benefits) – most of the times if I want something I have to save for it. I can't just go and get it. I don't have a lot of money.' When prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC noted that a muzzle costs around £20, Warren acknowledged the price but highlighted his £40 train ticket to London as a competing expense.
Charges and Trial Proceedings
Warren has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including being the owner of a dog named Bear that caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place, and being in charge of a dog named Beauty under similar circumstances. He also denies possessing a bladed article without good reason at Clacton railway station on February 3, 2024, explaining he took the knife to London 'to shoot my scene' for the music video.
Under questioning, Warren agreed that on February 1, 2024, the dogs in his home were banned XL bullies, he did not hold an exemption certificate for any of them, and he had not applied for a single certificate. The trial continues as the court examines the circumstances surrounding the tragic attack and Warren's responsibilities as a dog owner.
