Ellie Lawrenson: CPS defends decision to bring charges

Sep 11 2007

The Crown Prosecution Service today defended its decision to bring charges against Jacqueline Simpson.

Colin Davies, assistant district Crown prosecutor for Merseyside, said: “The death of Ellie Lawrenson on New Year’s Day, when she was mauled to death by her family’s pit bull-type dog Reuben, was a tragedy for all involved and in particular for Ellie’s parents.

“The CPS brought this prosecution on the basis that Jacqueline Simpson owed a duty of care towards her granddaughter Ellie.

“We said that she breached that duty of care by letting the dog into her house, knowing that it was potentially dangerous and capable of killing a child.

“Furthermore, we said that her breach of that duty of care was such that a jury would consider it to be so gross that it amounted to a crime.

“There is no doubt - and it was accepted by the defence - that Jacqueline Simpson owed a duty of care towards her granddaughter.

“However, the jury by its verdict have accepted that, if there was a breach of her duty of care, it was not such that it amounted to a crime.

“This prosecution cannot, of course, bring Ellie back, but when anyone is killed following an attack by a dog and where there is evidence of a criminal offence, the police will investigate and the CPS will prosecute.

“Once again, all those involved in the prosecution team wish to express their sincere condolences to the parents of Ellie Lawrenson.”