Jaywick Man Jailed Following Fatal Dog Attack

A Jaywick man has been sentenced to 10 years and three months in prison following the death of a 68-year-old woman in a dog attack. Ashley Warren, 41, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 31 March 2026 after being found responsible for the death of Esther Martin, who was fatally mauled by his dogs in February 2024.

The incident occurred on 3 February 2024 at Warren’s home on Hillman Avenue in Jaywick. Esther Martin, a grandmother and great-grandmother from Woodford Green in east London, was left in charge of two adult XL Bully dogs, eight puppies, and a child while Warren travelled to London to film a music video. During the attack, the victim, who had mobility issues including arthritis and a hip replacement, sustained fatal injuries from one of the dogs, named Bear. The two adult dogs were put down at the scene, and the eight puppies were later destroyed.

This case was the first of its kind to be prosecuted under new legislation that banned the ownership of XL Bullies without an exemption certificate. The rules came into force on 1 February 2024, only two days before the attack took place. Investigations were led by Essex Police, who described the inquiry as challenging and complex. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe noted the significance of the case as the first prosecution of its kind following the new XL Bully legislation.

In addition to the prison sentence, Warren has been banned from owning dogs for life. The court also convicted him of possessing a knife at Clacton railway station, and he pleaded guilty to owning the dogs without the required exemption certificates. During the proceedings, prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC stated that the situation was a tragedy waiting to happen. Presiding Judge Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson KC remarked that the death was entirely preventable, noting that Warren should have foreseen the risk of leaving the victim alone with the animals.