Rapper Imprisoned After XL Bully Kills Pensioner Post-Breed Ban

A rapper has been jailed for owning an XL bully that fatally attacked a 68-year-old woman at his home in Jaywick. Chelmsford Crown Court handed down a sentence of ten years and three months after the fatal incident in February 2024.

Attack and victim

The victim, Esther Martin, was 68 and stood about 5ft 3in. She suffered “dozens and dozens” of wounds, a bite through arm tissue, and a complete bone fracture.

Prosecutors said Warren had asked Ms Martin to look after two XL bullies and eight puppies. He went to London to film a music video, leaving her alone with the animals.

Legal proceedings and convictions

A jury found Ashley Warren, 41, guilty of owning a dog named Bear that caused injury resulting in death. The charge related to a dog being dangerously out of control in a private place.

Warren was acquitted of a separate charge about a dog named Beauty. That animal belonged to his girlfriend and the court cleared him of responsibility for it.

Evidence and prosecution comments

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC described an imbalance between the small stature of the victim and the strength of the dogs. The court heard Ms Martin had mobility issues and little experience handling such animals.

Police attended the property 11 days before the attack for an unrelated matter. A video played to jurors included Warren saying “it’s a shame about the laws” and claiming “my boy’s got papers already.” The court was told those comments were untrue.

Breed ban and context

The attack occurred two days after a new ban on the breed took effect in England and Wales. The law makes it a criminal offence to own or possess XL bullies without an exemption certificate.

Warren accepted in court that he did not hold exemption certificates and had not applied for one. The timing of the attack highlighted the post-breed ban legal backdrop.

Sentence and other offences

The defendant, now living in Addlestone, Surrey, received the custodial term at Chelmsford Crown Court. The jail term also reflected the grave consequences of the attack.

Warren was also convicted of carrying a bladed article at Clacton railway station on 3 February 2024. Officers had found a knife he said was a prop for the music video he filmed in London.

Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments in the case and report further updates as they become available.