Man ADMITS being in charge of two killer American bulldogs that mauled great-gran, 85, to death in back garden

A MAN has admitted being in charge of two American bulldogs that mauled a great-gran to death.

Lucille Downer, 85, was killed in her back garden by the dogs in Rowley Regis, West Midlands.

Pritchard today admitted an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and producing the drug at an address in the street where Lucille died.

Police were scrambled to Lucille's home on April 2, 2021, after she suffered "multiple" injuries.

Officers confirmed the dogs had escaped from a neighbouring property through a hole in a fence.

Retired cook Lucille tragically couldn't be saved and was declared dead at the scene in Boundary Avenue.

A post-mortem gave her cause of death as a neck injury caused by a dog bite.

Both the animals were humanely destroyed following the horror.

Pritchard, 44, was granted conditional bail ahead of sentencing on May 15.

The judge said: "You have had the courage to plead guilty to these matters and you will get appropriate credit (for pleading guilty) in due course.

"But they are clearly serious matters which cross the custodial threshold so you should be under no illusion as to the likely sentence."

Paying tribute to Lucille following her death, her family said: ";Lucille was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who spent her working years as a cook at Bromford House Care Home in West Bromwich.

"Lucille was born in Jamaica and emigrated to the UK in her early 20s.

"Since arriving in the UK, Rowley Regis has always been her home and her family will miss her dearly."