Dog owner jailed for 4.5 years after crossbreed mauled his younger brother to death in 'horror attack'

The man admitted to being the owner of "a dangerously out-of-control dog" that killed his brother, pleading guilty to an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Wayne Stevens, 51, died at the scene after the dog mauled his head and face at a house in Derby along Cameron Road in April.

Emergency services responded to reports of a seriously injured man at the Derby home in the early hours of the morning, where officers shot the 50kg canine dead at the home.

Following the attack, Derbyshire police assured the public that the dog had been "destroyed" as a result of "presenting a risk to officers and the public".

The dog's breed was not mentioned during today's court hearing.

Prosecutor Laura Pitman said emergency services arrived at the address where the dog's owner was allegedly "heavily intoxicated" and could not control the dog.

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Prosecutor Julia King told the court: "I would argue that this was high culpability."

Defence lawyer Tony Stanford said that the event was "an extremely upsetting incident for him to witness and be a part of".

He claimed that the defendant attempted to pull the dog off of his brother and was suffering from "considerable guilt".

Ahead of Stevens' formal sentencing next month, Judge Shaun Smith KC told the defendant: "Prison is the most likely option, it is just a question of how long."

The judge granted the defendant bail for the time being so that he would be able to put his affairs in order before his sentencing in November.