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.