Jaywick XL bully attack trial finds Ashley Warren guilty

An amateur rapper has been found guilty of owning or controlling an XL bully dog responsible for a fatal attack on his mother-in-law, coming just two days after the breed was officially banned. The dog, named Bear, mauled 68-year-old Esther Martin to death while she was looking after the animal at Ashley Warren’s home in Jaywick, Essex, on 3 February 2024.

At the time of the incident, Warren was in London filming a music video. During this period, Martin—who had mobility issues causing her to limp—suffered numerous bite wounds. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC described the injuries as “dozens and dozens of dog bite marks and wounds, which led to a catastrophic bleed and her death.” Martin had been trusted to care for both Bear and another XL bully called Beauty, along with eight puppies, a situation the prosecutor characterized as a “tragedy waiting to happen.”

The 41-year-old, now living in Addlestone, Surrey, appeared in Chelmsford Crown Court where he was found guilty after the jury deliberated for over 14 hours. Warren maintained a low profile throughout the hearing, sitting in the dock with a grey hoodie and his head bowed. Although he was cleared of being responsible for Beauty, which had also injured Martin, he was found guilty of possession of a knife at Clacton railway station on the same day as the attack, with a majority verdict of 11 to one.

Esther Martin, from Woodford Green in east London, was described in court as a “doting and loving grandmother.” The tragic outcome of the incident has drawn attention to the dangers posed by certain dog breeds, particularly given the recent ban on XL bully dogs. Warren’s sentencing will take place at a future date

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