Dad

A father of two broke down in tears in the dock after being charged with manslaughter over the death of a man allegedly bitten by his Alsatian-cross dog. Lee Ellis, aged 55, of Blacker Lane, Calder Grove, Wakefield, shook his head upon entering the dock at Bradford Magistrates' Court, where he was informed he faced charges of manslaughter in connection with the death of James Judge, also 55.

Mr Judge lost his life after being bitten on a footpath, allegedly following an "altercation" between the two men over a right of way. Ellis also faces charges of being the "owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death".

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Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he appeared in the glass-lined dock at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Monday just before noon, accompanied by a female prison officer.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, breathing deeply, as he confirmed his name and address. As the details of the alleged offence were read out to the court, Ellis sat weeping in the dock, prompting the prison officer to hand him tissues.

The court was told that Ellis, a farrier, had been walking his two dogs — one described as an Alsatian crossed with an Australian Huntaway — when the alleged altercation with Mr Judge took place.

Georgina Fishwick, prosecuting, informed the court that an initial post-mortem examination had been unable to establish the precise number of bite wounds sustained by Mr Judge.

"A post mortem was heard but we cannot determine how many bites he suffered but a bite to the back of the right knee was a direct contributor to his death," she said.

Ellis, red-eyed from crying, leaned forward, appearing to struggle to hear what was being said in court, cupping his ear and wiping away tears.

The court was told that both individuals dialled 999, with the deceased calling to report his injuries before later succumbing to them in hospital.

Mr Rob Fones from Switalski's solicitors representing Ellis in court, said there was "a verbal altercation in regards to right of way".

"He's out with his two dogs not far away from where he lives and where he regularly walks the dog at certain of times of the day. He comes across Judge and there is a verbal altercation in regards to right of way...He walks away and Mr Judge follows him."

Ellis subsequently departed the court clutching a B&M carrier bag and smoking a roll-up cigarette. He was informed that he must remain at his home address each night as a condition of his bail.

He thanked the Judge after he was released on bail and told he would next appear at Leeds Crown Court on September 16 to enter a plea. He was told he was being granted bail despite it being a "very serious offence".

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