Grandmother Cleared of Manslaughter Over Dog Attack Which Killed Ellie

The grandmother of dog attack victim Ellie Lawrenson was acquitted of her manslaughter yesterday.

The jury of seven men and five women at Liverpool Crown Court found Jacqueline Simpson, 45, innocent after a six-day trial.

Ellie was killed by her uncle Kiel Simpson’s pit bull terrier on New Year’s Eve after Simpson, who had smoked 10 joints and drunk two bottles of wine, let it in.

Ellie, killed at Simpson’s home in St Helens, Merseyside, had 72 injuries.

The maximum sentence for manslaughter is life imprisonment.

Hearing the verdict, Simpson wiped her eyes. Speaking to the jury, the judge said: “This is an unusual case which had given rise to very strong emotions.

“Suffice to say, the greatest sentence passed in this case is a life sentence of regret this lady has passed on herself.”

The jury heard that Simpson was also charged with possession of heroin found in her home after police searched it in the aftermath of Ellie’s death. Neil Flewitt QC said it was not in the public interest to pursue the charge.

The judge asked him if the Crown Prosecution Service had ever considered a prosecution against Simpson’s son, Kiel Simpson, 24, for manslaughter.

He answered that officers in the investigation believed there was no realistic chance of conviction as Kiel did not believe the dog had access to the little girl.

Referring to evidence from William Dins-dale, 70, that the pensioner had reported the pit bull terrier attacking him in May 2006, the judge asked if police had investigated that complaint.

Mr Justice Royce said: “It’s important for that to be investigated because if a report of an unlawful dog was ignored, it is a very unacceptable state of affairs.”

Mrs Simpson left court flanked by family, friends and her legal team without saying a word.

The Crown Prosecution Service yesterday defended its decision to bring charges against Jacqueline Simpson.

Colin Davies, assistant district Crown prosecutor for Merseyside, said: “The death of Ellie Lawrenson on New Year’s Day was a tragedy for all involved and in particular for Ellie’s parents.

“The CPS brought this prosecution on the basis that Jacqueline Simpson owed a duty of care towards her granddaughter Ellie.

“We said that she breached that duty of care by letting the dog into her house, knowing that it was potentially dangerous and capable of killing a child.”

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