THE GRANDMOTHER and uncle of a five-year-old girl who was fatally mauled by a dog have appeared in court.

Jacqueline Simpson, 46, was baby-sitting her granddaughter Ellie Lawrenson at her home in St Helens, Merseyside, when the attack took place in the early hours of New Year's Day.

She appeared before Liverpool magistrates on Wednesday, April 11th charged with the unlawful killing of Ellie, through gross negligence. She was also charged with possessing 3.95 grams of heroin.

She was granted unconditional bail and the case was adjourned to Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday April 25th.

In a separate hearing at the same court, her son, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, appeared charged with possession of a banned dog, under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, namely an American pit bull terrier.

He was granted unconditional bail and his case was also adjourned, this time to Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on April 25th.