• Rapper convicted of owning deadly dog after mother-in-law attack
• Attack occurred two days after XL Bully ban in England and Wales

A rapper has been found guilty of owning one of two XL bully dogs that fatally attacked his mother-in-law, just two days after the breed was banned in England and Wales.

The dog, named Bear, killed 68-year-old Esther Martin at Ashley Warren’s home in Jaywick, Essex, on February 3, 2024. Warren was filming a music video in London when Martin suffered “dozens and dozens” of bite wounds.

The 41-year-old, now living in Addlestone, Surrey, is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on April 1.

The jury, after 14 hours and 28 minutes of deliberation, found Warren guilty of owning Bear, but cleared him of responsibility for the other dog, Beauty, which also injured Martin but belonged to his girlfriend.

He was also convicted by a majority of 11 to 1 of possessing a knife at Clacton railway station on the same day.

Martin, described in court as a “loving and doting grandmother,” was 1.6 meters tall and had mobility issues due to a hip replacement, arthritis, and a limp.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton said leaving her in charge of two XL bully dogs and eight puppies was “a tragedy waiting to happen,” noting her lack of experience handling the dogs alone for extended periods.

The attack occurred hours after she arrived in Jaywick, where Warren had asked her to watch the dogs while he filmed in London. CCTV footage captured screams and frenzied barking, with officers using a Taser through a broken window instead of entering the house.

A doctor was airlifted to the scene, but Martin, who suffered at least 60 mostly dog-related injuries, was pronounced dead.

Warren told the jury his dogs were “gentle” and insisted he never expected them to attack anyone. He broke down in court, saying Martin had always been “happy and loved” and that he would “never get over” her death.

The attack came two days after it became illegal to own XL bully dogs in England and Wales without an exemption certificate, making Warren the first person charged with XL bully-related offenses.

Paxton said Warren knew the dogs were banned but acted as if the law did not apply, failing to obtain an exemption certificate or muzzle the dogs. He was released on bail ahead of sentencing.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe of Essex Police said after the verdict: “I am pleased that we have been able to hold Ashley Warren accountable, but I know no verdict will bring Esther back. Her death has left a huge impact on her family, and my thoughts are with them as they continue to grieve their mother.”