THE grandmother of a four-year-old boy mauled to death by his uncle’s dog has walked free from court.

Helen Foulkes appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court yesterday in connection with the death of John Paul Massey in Wavertree.

The 63-year-old had previously admitted possession of a pitbull-type dog, following the fatal attack on November 30 at her home in Ash Grove.

Foulkes fought with the dog, Uno, as she was babysitting John Paul. But she was unable to stop the animal killing him.

Chairman of the magistrates’ bench, Ian Lomax, gave Foulkes a four-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months along with a supervision order.

Foulkes was also banned from ever owning a dog again.

During the hearing prosecutor Julie Parr told the court how Merseyside Police had rigorously checked their records following a claim from Foulkes that the illegal pitbull had been returned home to her by officers, without redress, after it went missing.

Ms Parr said: “Police have undertaken a review during a period of 18 months before the incident – reports of a dog being returned to the family were negative.”

Her solicitor Laurence Lee said: “You have before you a totally broken lady, you can see the effect its had on her.

“She has to live with the memory of what happened to her on that terrible night. John Paul’s mother Angela McGlynn has not only suffered the tragic loss of her son, but she is also petrified of the loss of liberty of her own mother.

John Paul was staying at his grandmother’s house while his parents were on a night out.

After asking Foulkes for some crisps the four-year-old fell asleep but when she went to offer them to him the dog pounced on the youngster.