Family unite in grief
after pet kills little girl
by Lesley Wilkinson and Gary Skentelbery
THE family of a five-year-old Warrington girl mauled to death by a pet Pit-Bull Terrier dog have united in grief and spoken of their total devastation at the loss of their active little girl. Ellie Lawrenson was attacked by the family pet at her grandmother’s home on New Year’s Day.
Merseyside Police are investigating the death of Ellie who was fatally injured by the dog at the house in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, St Helens, in the early hours of Monday morning.
A post mortem has revealed that she died as a result of severe head and neck injuries.
Ellie’s grandmother, 46-year-old Jackie Simpson, also suffered injuries as she tried to fight off the dog, including damage to tendons in her arms, and severe damage to her thumb and elbow. She has undergone surgery and is currently in a stable condition in hospital.
Emergency services were called out just before 4.30am, following reports of the dog attacking Ellie and her grandmother.
When police arrived, Mrs Simpson had managed to separate the dog and put it in a secure area at the side of the house. Ellie, who was staying with her Grandma died at the scene. Her body was found in the living room where it is believed the attack took place.
The dog named Rueben, which has been identified as an adult pit-bull type terrier outlawed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, was destroyed at the scene after officers determined it could not be safely handled, controlled or removed. The dogs owner, believed to be Ellie’s Uncle Kiel Simpson, could now be prosecuted.
Superintendent Jon Ward said: “Ellie’s family have been left extremely traumatised by her death. It is such a tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with them as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened.
“Our investigations are continuing and the family have the full support of our Family Liaison Officer.”
In a statement the family said: “Ellie was always happy and smiling. She was a little angel, full of life and always running around. She loved her music and was a proper little girl, performing her routines and singing along Beyonce and the X-factor. She was always sociable, playing with other children and chatting to neighbours.
“We had a great Christmas together, with her little brother, Josh, who Ellie doted on and thought she was a second mother to.”
“She was an active little girl, she loved horse-riding and was looking forward to going ice-skating for the first time in the new year.
“We are absolutely devastated and can’t believe she is gone.” Ellie started nursery at Tower College, a private school in Rainhill, in January last year, and had recently moved into the reception class. Her school report said: “Ellie is a happy little girl, who mixes well with other children ….she is a popular member of her class.” The family had owned the dog since it was a puppy, it was just over 12 months old at the time of the attack.
The family are all together, comforting each other at this time.
Garden centre’s
civic reception
by Lesley Wilkinson
CIVIC leaders from throughout Cheshire were invited to a special reception at Bent’s Garden Centre in Glazebury, Warrington.
The Mayor of Warrington Coun Linda Dirir joined 16 other civic heads from the region who took part in the visit aimed at promoting the different regions of Cheshire.
They were able to see how the family run business, which is now in its third generation, has established itself as a leading garden centre.
Managing director Matthew Bent took them on a guided tour and told guests about the development of the centre from its roots as rose growers in the 1930s. He said the businesses now employs 300 staff. The group then enjoyed a cream tea.
Coun Dirir said: “It was very nice to visit the garden centre and I am sure that the civic heads enjoyed the visit.”
Matthew said: “Competition from larger retailers is always a threat which is why it is important to stay ahead of the competition. We are constantly looking for new trends and ideas, which is how we remain at the forefront of our industry.”
Bents is one of only 10 Garden Centres of Excellence in the UK and the Garden Centre Association’s Centre of the Year 2006. It is currently one of the UK’s top three garden centres awaiting a decision on the 2007 title.
Record number of
calls for help
by Lesley Wilkinson
A RECORD number of calls were received by a Warrington charity to a helpline for parents who have little or no contact with their children.
The Relationship Centre say an advertising campaign prompted an 80 per cent increase in calls to its Families Together helpline.
The main problems disclosed were difficulties in negotiating suitable terms of contact, trying to adhere to children’s wishes and the overall lack of access to legal advice and services.
Stephen Leach, service spokesman, said: “These figures show just how important our service is to parents, we may not be able to help in all circumstances but we have good links with a wide range of organisations and agencies and can signpost them to get the help they need or just lend a friendly ear.
Parent contact has been a high-profile issue for some time now, in the next six months, we are looking to expand the FamiliesTogether website so that we can offer email counselling as well as set-up discussion forums to bring together parents in similar situations for support.”
Anyone who needs help and advice should call 01925 246922 or visit the website www.familiestogether.co.uk
Generous gift
by staff reporter
A MYSTERY benefactor walked into a Warrington charity during Christmas week with a generous gift of ?1,500 cash.
The woman walked into the Shopmobility project with a brown envelope stuffed with cash.
She said she didn’t want any publicity but just wanted to make a little donation to the charity which provides mobility equipment to help disabled people during their shopping trips around the town centre.
Volunteers spring
into action!
by staff reporter
SPRING is on its way in Lymm near Warrington, thanks to the work of green-fingered volunteers who were busy during the festive season.
More than 500 daffodil bulbs were planted by Ridgway Grundy Park Association to brighten up the Lymm park.
The volunteers plan a series of bulb plantings to ensure the venue is a colourful place to visit.
A recent survey of Lymm residents showed that although many love the park, they felt it needed more flowers and shrubs which should be in keeping with the informal, woodland setting.
The new bulbs have been funded by Lymm Parish Council.
More volunteers are needed to help with planting and anyone with a few spare hours to help should contact Kieran Walshe on 01925 759687 or Mike Dyble on 01925 753420.
Success must be a
top three finish!
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Wolves must secure a top three finish and be challenging for silverware if the forthcoming 2007 season is to be a success.
These are the views of the club’s deputy chairman Steven Broomhead made during an exclusive www.warrington.tv interview with warrington-worldwide Editor Gary Skentelbery.
With Coach Paul Cullen in the last year of his current contract, the pressure is on for the Wolves to have some long awaited success on the playing field.
