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Jaywick: Ashley Warren sentenced over death of Esther Martin
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A thorough and meticulous investigation by specialist officers and staff has seen Ashley Warren jailed over the death Esther Martin in a case which is the first of its kind.
Warren, 41, was convicted in February of owning an XL Bully which attacked and killed Esther in Jaywick in February 2024.
The incident took place just days after new legislation banning with ownership of XL Bullies and our investigation was the first its kind under that new legislation.
Esther, who was 68, was fatally attacked by Warren’s dog Bear, and another adult XL Bully, as she tried to separate some of their eight puppies which were fighting.
Our detectives established that 68 year-old Esther had health and mobility issues and didn’t have experience looking after the dogs on her own.
They were also able to show the jury at Warren’s trial that Bear was large and difficult to control and that he was struggling to look after the 10 dogs at his property in Hillman Avenue.
On the day of Esther’s death, Warren had left her to look after the animals while he travelled to London for the day.
The law around dangerous dogs states that if an owner is not present, they must leave their dog with someone who is physically capable of looking after them.
The jury agreed with our investigation that, sadly, Esther was not someone who would have been able to look after the animals.
Our officers also established that Warren was owning the dogs illegally as he did not possess the relevant exemption certificates for them.
Warren, of Garfield Road, Addleston has today, Tuesday 31 March, sentenced to a total of 10 years and three months and he has been banned from owning dogs for life.
At the sentencing hearing he Warren also admitted possession of a knife' it should read that he pleaded guilty to owning a banned breed namely an XL Bully and possession a banned breed namely XL Bully.
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Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who led the investigation, said:
“Our thoughts today are with Esther’s family, as they have been throughout our investigation.
“No sentence can ever bring Esther back but I hope this result will help them to move forward.
“This was a challenging and complex investigation, and the first of its kind in the country following the change in legislation.
“I want to thank my team for their diligence, professionalism, and dedication.
"Their hard work has ensured Ashley Warren has been held accountable for Esther’s death."
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Following today's sentencing, Esther's daughters Sonia and Kelly said:
"Today’s sentencing brings a sense of relief and a long-awaited path towards peace for our family. While nothing can truly compensate for the loss of our Mum, we are grateful that the court has recognised the gravity of this tragedy.
"This outcome represents the accountability we fought for. It sends a clear message that the lives of our loved ones are precious and that those responsible for such preventable heartbreaks will be held to the highest standard.
"To us, this sentence is more then just a number of years: it is a validation of the pain we have endured and a step toward protecting other families from the same nightmare.
"We want to thank our Families and friends for standing by us through the darkest chapter of our lives. We would also like to personally thank our family liaison officers, for guiding us through this distressing and emotional time.
"Esther Martin, for anyone that knew her, knew she had a great laugh and wicked sense of humour. She will be remembered for being a great friend to many, a Sister, Aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. But to us, she was and will always be our Mum."
"This outcome represents the accountability we fought for. It sends a clear message that the lives of our loved ones are precious and that those responsible for such preventable heartbreaks will be held to the highest standard.
"To us, this sentence is more then just a number of years: it is a validation of the pain we have endured and a step toward protecting other families from the same nightmare.
"We want to thank our Families and friends for standing by us through the darkest chapter of our lives. We would also like to personally thank our family liaison officers, for guiding us through this distressing and emotional time.
"Esther Martin, for anyone that knew her, knew she had a great laugh and wicked sense of humour. She will be remembered for being a great friend to many, a Sister, Aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. But to us, she was and will always be our Mum."
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