Today saw the verdict in the prosecution of Ellie Lawrenson’s grandmother, Jackie Simpson. You will remember that Ellie was killed in an attack by her uncle’s Pit Bull Terrier on 1 January this year. The five year old girl suffered 72 separate injuries in the attack by the dog, which was a breed banned under law in the UK. The dog, which had been involved in two other attacks, locked its jaws around the child’s throat and shook her. Although Ms Simpson accepted responsibilty for Ellie’s death after allowing the dog into the house, the woman was cleared of manslaughter in relation to Ellie’s death. Ms Simpson said she never thought the dog would go for Ellie.

The dog’s owner, Kiel Simpson, 24, was jailed for eight weeks at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in May after admitting owning a dog banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Pilice have asked for help in preventing any more children being killed or even harmed in this way again. “Anyone who has information on where illegal dogs are being bred, who is supplying them or who is using these animals as part of their criminal lifestyles to call the police.” was the appeal from Merseyside Asst Chief Constable, Helen King.

THE grandmother of Ellie Lawrenson, the five-year-old girl mauled to death by a pit bull terrier, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on 12 April, charged with the unlawful killing of her granddaughter. Jacqueline Simpson is charged with manslaughter through gross negligence and possessing 3.95 grams of heroin. The 46-year-old was baby sitting Ellie Lawrenson at her home in St Helens, Merseyside, when the attack took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Her son, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, appeared charged with possession of a banned dog under section one of the Dangerous Dog Act, the American pit bull terrier called Reuben, which killed his niece. Both have been remanded on bail until 25 April.