Man convicted after fatal XL Bully dog attack that killed grandmother

A man responsible for an XL Bully dog that mauled a grandmother to death at a property in Essex has been found guilty of a dangerous dog offence.

On February 3 2024, Ashley Warren left 68-year-old Esther Martin with two adult XL Bully dogs and eight puppies at his home in Jaywick, Essex, while he travelled to London.

From 1 February 2024, ownership of XL Bully dogs was prohibited unless the owner held a valid exemption certificate. Warren, 41, did not hold such a certificate.

Within hours of being left in the home on February 3 – two days after the ban came into force – Ms Martin, who was 5ft 3in tall and had mobility issues, was attacked.

She suffered multiple bite injuries, which resulted in her death.

During the trial, jurors heard that due to the extreme aggression displayed by the dogs, police officers and emergency services were initially unable to enter the property. Armed officers were then required to deploy tasers to immobilise the two adult dogs before it was safe to enter.

The prosecution's case was that Warren was the owner of one of the adult XL Bully dogs, a male called Bear, and was in charge of the second adult dog, a female called Beauty, which belonged to his girlfriend.

The jury was satisfied that one of the adult dogs was dangerously out of control and that Warren was legally responsible for its actions.

Following his arrest, Warren was found in possession of a knife. During the trial, he accepted having the knife but claimed it was a prop used earlier that day while filming a music video in London.

Today at Chelmsford Crown Court, he was convicted of one count of owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, and one offence of possessing a knife in a public place.

Ashley Petchey, Senior Crown Prosecutor with the CPS East of England, said: “This was a wholly avoidable tragedy. Ashley Warren made the decision to leave a vulnerable woman alone with two powerful, banned dogs and their puppies.

“The evidence showed that he was responsible and failed to take even the most basic steps to protect those in his care, which sadly lead to the untimely death of Esther Martin.

“Our thoughts remain with Esther Martin’s family, who have endured an unimaginable loss.”

Warren will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 1 April 2026.