This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/6250859.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Attack dog owner carries coffin | Attack dog owner carries coffin |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The coffin of a five-year-old girl who was killed by a pit bull terrier in Merseyside was carried into church by the dog's owner. | |
Ellie Lawrenson was fatally mauled by the animal at her grandmother's house in St Helens, on New Year's Day. | |
The dog belonged to her uncle, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, who also lives at the house. | The dog belonged to her uncle, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, who also lives at the house. |
Mr Simpson was one of four pallbearers at Ellie's funeral at Eccleston Christ Church, St Helens, on Thursday. | Mr Simpson was one of four pallbearers at Ellie's funeral at Eccleston Christ Church, St Helens, on Thursday. |
The coffin arrived at the sandstone church on a white carriage, pulled by two white horses. | The coffin arrived at the sandstone church on a white carriage, pulled by two white horses. |
About 60 mourners attended the funeral in St Helens | About 60 mourners attended the funeral in St Helens |
Ellie's parents, Darren Lawrenson and Lyndsey Simpson, and Ellie's grandmother Jackie Simpson travelled to the service in black limousines, with Miss Simpson's siblings, Kiel and Kelsey. | Ellie's parents, Darren Lawrenson and Lyndsey Simpson, and Ellie's grandmother Jackie Simpson travelled to the service in black limousines, with Miss Simpson's siblings, Kiel and Kelsey. |
Jackie Simpson was babysitting Ellie while her parents, who also have a baby son, went out to celebrate the New Year. | Jackie Simpson was babysitting Ellie while her parents, who also have a baby son, went out to celebrate the New Year. |
About 60 mourners were in the church for the funeral. | About 60 mourners were in the church for the funeral. |
Afterwards, the funeral cortege left for a private ceremony, understood to be a cremation. | Afterwards, the funeral cortege left for a private ceremony, understood to be a cremation. |
Kiel Simpson was questioned by police over Ellie's death but was not arrested. | Kiel Simpson was questioned by police over Ellie's death but was not arrested. |
The animal, which was destroyed, was subsequently found to be among the breeds prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. | The animal, which was destroyed, was subsequently found to be among the breeds prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. |