Ashley Warren, 41, was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months in prison on 31 March 2026 after his two XL Bully dogs attacked and killed 68-year-old Esther Martin in Jaywick, Essex. The case is the first XL Bully prosecution for a fatal dog attack in the United Kingdom and has reignited debate about breed-specific legislation.

Who is Ashley Warren?

Ashley Warren is a 41-year-old man from Jaywick, a coastal village near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex. He owned two XL Bully dogs named Beauty and Bear, as well as eight XL Bully puppies. Warren had kept the dogs at his home despite the introduction of strict controls on the breed in February 2024, which required all XL Bullies to be neutered, microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled in public. There is no suggestion Warren had any prior criminal record relating to dog ownership.

What happened in Jaywick?

In the early hours of the incident, Beauty and Bear escaped from Warren’s property in Jaywick and launched a sustained and fatal attack on his neighbour, Esther Martin. The dogs inflicted severe injuries that proved fatal. Warren was not present during the attack itself but was prosecuted as the responsible owner of the dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Police attended the scene and the two dogs were seized and subsequently destroyed. The eight puppies were also taken into the care of animal welfare authorities. Warren was arrested and charged with being the owner of dogs dangerously out of control, causing death.

Who was Esther Martin?

Esther Martin was a 68-year-old woman and a neighbour of Ashley Warren in Jaywick, Essex. She was attacked by the two XL Bully dogs outside her home. Friends and family described her as a well-liked member of the local community. Her death prompted an immediate police investigation and led to the prosecution of Warren. The case drew national media attention because of its significance as the first fatal XL Bully conviction since the breed was added to the list of prohibited dogs in the UK.

The XL Bully law in the UK

The XL Bully was added to the list of prohibited breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 following an amendment introduced in 2023. The government acted after a series of high-profile attacks across the country. From 1 February 2024, it became illegal in England and Wales to sell, breed, give away, or abandon an XL Bully. Existing owners were required to register their dog under a Certificate of Exemption, keep the dog neutered, microchipped, insured and vaccinated, and ensure the dog was muzzled and kept on a lead in any public place.

Failure to comply with these rules can result in prosecution. If a dog is found to be dangerously out of control and causes injury or death, the owner faces prosecution under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison for cases involving death. The Ashley Warren case marks the first time an owner of an XL Bully has been jailed for a fatal attack since the breed was prohibited.

Ashley Warren sentence and conviction

Warren was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court and sentenced on 31 March 2026. The judge handed down a total sentence of 10 years and 3 months. In sentencing, the judge noted the serious nature of the attack, the vulnerability of the victim and the failure of Warren to keep the dogs securely confined. The case was prosecuted by Essex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The conviction was welcomed by animal welfare organisations and campaigners who had pushed for the XL Bully ban. Victim advocacy groups stated that the sentence sent a clear message to irresponsible dog owners. Warren is expected to serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole consideration.