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Killer dog case jury sent home Woman cleared of dog attack death
(about 22 hours later)
The jury in the trial of a woman accused over a fatal dog attack on her granddaughter has been sent home. A woman accused over a fatal dog attack on her granddaughter has been found not guilty of her manslaughter.
Ellie Lawrenson, five, was fatally mauled by a pit-bull terrier at Jackie Simpson's home in Knowles House Avenue, St Helens, on New Year's Day. Ellie Lawrenson, five, was fatally mauled by a pit bull terrier at Jackie Simpson's home in Knowles House Avenue, St Helens, on New Year's Day.
Ms Simpson, 45, ignored a family rule banning the dog from the house, the jury at Liverpool Crown Court was told. Ms Simpson, 45, allowed the dog into the house, the jury at Liverpool Crown Court was told.
She denies manslaughter through gross negligence. The jury will resume its deliberations on Tuesday. She denied manslaughter through gross negligence and was found not guilty by the jury on Tuesday.
'Savaged to death' Ellie suffered 72 injuries in the prolonged attack by her uncle Kiel Simpson's pit bull, Reuben.
The judge, Mr Justice Royce, took 65 minutes to sum up five days of evidence before sending out the seven men and five women jurors. The dog, which had been involved in two other attacks, locked its jaws around the child's throat and shook her.
He told the jury to be dispassionate and apply common sense. Ellie suffered severe head and neck injuries
He said: "What the police found when they arrived at the house was a horrific sight - a little girl, aged five, in the care of the defendant savaged to death by a pit-bull terrier. 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.
"This case, by its very nature, provokes strong emotions. During the trial, the prosecution said Ms Simpson, who had drunk two bottles of wine and smoked 10 cannabis joints prior to the attack, had broken a family rule by letting Reuben into the house while Ellie was there.
"You may have sympathy for the parents because they have lost a much-loved daughter in terrible circumstances. But Ms Simpson said she was not aware of such a ban and she never thought the dog would go for Ellie.
"You may have sympathy for the defendant because, as a grandmother, she has lost a loved granddaughter and accepts some responsibility for that death. The jury heard Ms Simpson was also charged with possession of heroin found in her home after police searched it following Ellie's death.
"You may find the very circumstances of Ellie's death horrific. Neil Flewitt QC, for the prosecution, said it was not in the public interest to pursue the charge.
"It is of the greatest importance that you put emotions behind you and approach the task with clear heads." 'Strong emotions'
The judge, Mr Justice Royce, asked him if the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had ever considered a prosecution against Kiel Simpson for manslaughter.
He answered that officers in the investigation believed there was no realistic chance of conviction as Mr Simpson did not believe the dog had access to the little girl.
Hearing the verdict, Ms Simpson wiped her eyes.
Speaking to the jury, Mr Justice Royce said: "This is an unusual case which had given rise to very strong emotions.
Kiel Simpson was jailed for owning a dangerous dog
"Suffice to say, the greatest sentence passed in this case is a life sentence of regret this lady has passed on herself."
Colin Davies, Assistant District Crown Prosecutor for Merseyside, said the jury had found Ms Simpson's actions did not make her criminally responsible for Ellie's death.
"There is no doubt - and it was accepted by the defence - that Jacqueline Simpson owed a duty of care towards her granddaughter," he said.
"However, the jury by its verdict have accepted that, if there was a breach of her duty of care it was not such that it amounted to a crime."
Asst Ch Con Helen King said: "We cannot allow Ellie Lawrenson to have died in vain.
"I would ask our communities to support the work we are doing to help prevent a child ever 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."