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/6987128.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Killer dog jury considers verdict | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The jury has been sent out to consider its verdict in the trial of a woman accused over a fatal attack on her granddaughter by a dog. | |
| Five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson was savaged by a pit-bull terrier at Jackie Simpson's home in Knowles House Avenue, St Helens, on New Year's Day. | Five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson was savaged by a pit-bull terrier at Jackie Simpson's home in Knowles House Avenue, St Helens, on New Year's Day. |
| Ms Simpson ignored a family agreement banning the dog from the house, Liverpool Crown Court was told. | |
| Ms Simpson, 45, denies manslaughter through gross negligence. | |
| 'Savaged to death' | |
| 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. | |
| He told the jury to be dispassionate and apply common sense. | |
| 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. | |
| "This case, by its very nature, provokes strong emotions. | |
| "You may have sympathy for the parents because they have lost a much-loved daughter in terrible circumstances. | |
| "You may have sympathy for the defendant because, as a grandmother, she has lost a loved granddaughter and accepts some responsibility for that death. | |
| "You may find the very circumstances of Ellie's death horrific. | |
| "It is of the greatest importance that you put emotions behind you and approach the task with clear heads." |