A 20-year-old mother has been sentenced after concocting a false story about a stranger's dog mauling her newborn son, when in reality her own French bulldog was responsible for the vicious attack that resulted in the infant losing a toe.
Fabricated Story Unravels Under Police Scrutiny
Caitlin Powell, from Bootle, initially claimed to police that her 26-day-old son had been attacked by an unknown dog at a bus stop on October 4, 2023. She maintained this fabricated account alongside her then-partner, Aaron Newsome, 24, after medical staff at Ormskirk Hospital raised serious concerns about the nature of the child's injuries.
The couple's story began to unravel when Newsome, of Evington in Skelmersdale, became "angry and irate" at the suggestion that police might examine his mobile phone. A subsequent search of the device revealed incriminating text messages that exposed the conspiracy, showing Powell, Newsome, and Powell's father, Carl Powell, had coordinated their false account.
Panic and Cover-Up After Family Pet Attacks
The court heard that Powell's French bulldog, named Boss, had "jumped up" and mauled the infant's left foot while the baby was crying. Powell later confessed to authorities that she had "panicked" in the aftermath of the incident and decided to blame an unknown dog rather than admit her own pet was responsible.
The newborn suffered severe injuries to his left toes, requiring one toe to be surgically amputated. He remained hospitalised for twelve days following the traumatic attack, though medical reports indicated he had "appeared to be almost completely healed" by the time of discharge.
Extended Family Involvement in Deception
The conspiracy extended beyond the child's parents, with Powell's father, Carl Powell, 47, also participating in the cover-up. Text messages presented in court revealed Carl Powell had claimed to have thrown Boss "in the river" to dispose of evidence, though it was later discovered he had actually given the dog to an unsuspecting woman who was unaware of the attack.
At the time of the incident, the family home in Southport contained five dogs, including Boss. The chaotic environment and subsequent deception highlighted serious concerns about the household's suitability for child rearing.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
At Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Gary Woodhall sentenced Powell to 18 months in prison, suspended for 15 months, along with 15 rehabilitation activity days and a 15-year disqualification from owning dogs. Her sentencing had been adjourned previously until authorities could locate Boss, who had been missing for some time.
Judge Woodhall told Powell: "I have no doubt your actions were driven out of panic and shock and concerns for your parenting position. But as a mother your primary concern should have been protecting your son and ensuring that dog didn't pose a risk to anyone else."
The judge noted Powell had obtained Boss from someone on Facebook whom she didn't know and exhibited "a lack of insight into the long-term implications for your son." He also referenced Powell's relationship difficulties, including the end of her relationship with Newsome and the birth of a second child with a different father.
Co-Defendants Receive Suspended Sentences
Aaron Newsome received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 15 months, while Carl Powell was given a 15-month suspended sentence. All three defendants had pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, with Powell additionally pleading guilty to overseeing a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
The court heard that both of Powell's children have been fostered outside the immediate family, with social services considering permanent removal following negative parenting assessments. Judge Woodhall remarked that Powell had "almost certainly lost (custody of) your son" as a consequence of her actions.
Fate of the Dog That Caused the Injury
In a separate ruling, Judge Woodhall imposed a contingent destruction order for Boss, meaning the French bulldog will not be euthanised provided strict safety conditions are met. The dog had been recovered by a dog warden and was in the care of the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home at the time of sentencing.
Prosecutor Nick Cockrell noted that "the harm caused was serious, there's no suggesting otherwise" but described the attack as "an isolated incident" that occurred some time ago. He reported that when Boss was recovered, "his behaviour was impeccable" and no further concerns had been raised about the dog's conduct.
The court imposed specific requirements for Boss's future care, including that he must be kept under proper control at all times, microchipped, insured, registered with a vet, neutered, and walked on a lead no longer than 1.5 metres while in public.
