Man Accused Over Fatal XL Bully Attack Told Police ‘Poodles Are More Aggressive’

Ashley Warren arriving at Chelmsford Crown Court, Essex, where he is charged over the death of Esther Martin, 68, who was savaged to death by two XL Bullies in Jaywick, Essex on February 3. Warren is charged with two counts of owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. He is also charged with two counts of possession or having custody of a fighting dog, two counts under the Animal Welfare Act and possession of a bladed article. Picture date: Thursday September 19, 2024.

An aspiring rapper whose two XL bully dogs mauled a grandmother to death had told police he thought poodles were a more aggressive breed than his own animals, a court has heard.

Jurors were told the mauling of Esther Martin, 68, was a “tragedy waiting to happen”, as Ashley Warren went on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court accused of owning or being in charge of two XL bully dogs that killed the pensioner.