BRITAIN: Dog Death Charge Gran ‘Had Taken Cannabis’

A WOMAN charged over the death of her granddaughter took drugs and alcohol the day the five-year-old was mauled by a family pet, a court heard yesterday.

Jacqueline Simpson, 45, of Knowles House Avenue, St Helens, Merseyside, also flouted a family rule by allowing the pit bull terrier into the house, it was claimed.

Ellie Lawrenson was killed in the early hours of New Year’s Day when the dog, Reuben, locked its jaws around her throat and shook her around Simpson’s living room. She had 72 injuries.

Neil Flewitt QC told Liverpool Crown Court Simpson’s judgment may have been impaired by cannabis and alcohol.

Simpson, who witnessed the attack and was injured during it, knew about two previous attacks on her daughter and a neighbour and was supposed to keep the dog outside, the prosecution alleged.

Mr Flewitt said on May 29 last year Reuben, who belonged to Simpson’s son Kiel, 24, attacked a neighbour walking his Jack Russell.

In an incident which Mr Flewitt said was witnessed by Simpson, the neighbour fought off Reuben with his walking stick.

On 21 November, 2006, six weeks before Ellie was killed, Reuben attacked Simpson’s daughter Kelsey.

Mr Flewitt said: “According to Kelsey Simpson, she saw something in Reuben’s eyes that she had never seen before. They were bulging, red and horrible.”

Simpson denies manslaughter by gross negligence.

Her son Kiel admitted owning a dangerous dog earlier this year.

The case continues.

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