British Rapper Could Face Prison After His XL Dogs Fatally Attacked Grandmother

Ashley Warren, a 41-year-old aspiring rapper, is facing a potential prison sentence after being convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court in connection with the fatal mauling of a pensioner by his XL bully dogs.

The incident occurred on February 3, 2024, when 68-year-old Esther Martin was entrusted with the care of 10 XL bullies by Warren at his residence in Jaywick, Essex, just two days following a ban on this dog breed in the UK. Martin sustained severe injuries, including numerous bite wounds and a critically fractured arm. Jurors learned that law enforcement, equipped with riot shields, had to deploy tasers to subdue the dogs before they could safely enter the premises.

Prosecutors characterized Martin's death as a “tragedy waiting to happen.” Warren was convicted for owning an XL bully named Bear, which attacked Martin, leading to her death while it was dangerously uncontrolled in a private setting. He was acquitted of charges related to another dog, Beauty, although it too had inflicted injuries on Martin.

Footage captured by a Ring doorbell from days prior to the fatal incident showed Warren grappling with one of the dogs that had managed to escape the property.

Prosecutor Chris Paxton KC emphasized the vulnerability of Martin, highlighting her limited mobility due to a hip replacement surgery, arthritis, and a limp. He argued that it was “absurd” to believe she could manage these powerful animals when even Warren struggled with them, noting that the collective weight of the dogs ranged from 180kg to 190kg. He described them as “unpredictable” and significantly powerful, defining their combined weight in stone to showcase their physicality.

While being tasked with looking after the dogs, Martin had little prior experience in managing them on her own for an extended period, particularly given her age and physical limitations. Paxton pointed out that Warren's expectations of her ability to control these large, unpredictable dogs was unrealistic and irresponsible.

An officer responding to the scene described the animals as being in a rage- fueled state, pointing out the danger it posed to their safety. In his testimony, Warren expressed disbelief that the dogs, which he claimed were affectionate and well-behaved, would ever attack anyone. He insisted that he would never have left Martin in their care had he thought they were dangerous.

When questioned by his defense attorney, Warren cited financial constraints, explaining he could not afford necessary precautions such as muzzles for the dogs, although he acknowledged their low cost. He faced additional charges of possessing a bladed weapon without lawful justification, which he claimed was a prop for filming a music video that same day in London.

Warren is set to receive his sentencing shortly.