A WOMAN who was in charge of a dangerously out of control XL Bully that injured a person has been sentenced in court.

Ellenna Jones, of Longton Lane, Rainhill, appeared before Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 26.

Jones, 30, had indicated a guilty plea to a charge of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury in a previous hearing on October 22. 

A court sheet states the particulars of the offence are that on April 6 this year in Heswall, Wirral, Jones was in charge of a dog, namely an XL Bully named Roxy, which was dangerously out of control on Pensby Road, and injured a female.

Magistrates handed the 30-year-old a suspended prison sentence for the offence.

A court sheet states that the offence was so serious that "only a custodial sentence can be justified".

However, this was suspended because the defendant "reacted accordingly when the incident happened".

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Court records add the defendant's "personal circumstances means that this matter can be managed within the community".

Jones was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

Magistrates also passed a mental health treatment order for a period of 12 months and Jones must do rehabilitation activity for up to 20 days.

She was also disqualified from owning a dog for five years and must pay £500 in compensation.

Jones' guilty plea was taken into account upon sentencing.