A young father sent a callous joke about his infant son after the family's aggressive French bulldog mauled the baby, leading to the amputation of a toe. Aaron Newsome, 24, and Caitlin Powell, 20, then spun a web of lies to cover up the horrific incident at their home in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.
The Attack and the Initial Cover-Up
The savage attack occurred on October 4, 2023, when the baby was just 26 days old. The court heard that the French bulldog, named Boss, jumped up and bit the child while he was crying. Caitlin Powell, who was at home at the time, later admitted she "panicked". Aaron Newsome was not present during the incident.
The following day, on October 5, Powell took her injured son to Ormskirk Hospital. Upon arrival, she and Newsome fabricated a story, claiming a stranger's dog had attacked the baby at a bus stop near a church and a Lidl store. However, medical staff grew suspicious of their account and alerted the police.
The Unravelling Web of Lies
During police interrogation, the couple's story began to collapse. Newsome, from Evington in Skelmersdale, became angry and irate at the suggestion his phone would be examined. Officers soon uncovered damning text messages that exposed the conspiracy.
In the messages, Newsome instructed Powell to "Stick to the story" about the bus stop. He then made a sickening quip, stating he "only needed to bring a one-legged sleep suit" for his hospitalised newborn son. The infant had suffered severe injuries to his left toes, resulting in one toe being amputated. He remained in hospital for 12 days.
Caitlin Powell's father, Carl Powell, 47, was also drawn into the deception. He told authorities his daughter contacted him saying his grandson's toes had been bitten off, and he rushed them to hospital. Text exchanges revealed Carl Powell told Newsome he had "thrown him [the dog] in the river", though it later emerged he had given the French bulldog to a woman unaware of the attack.
Court Sentencing and Ongoing Case
All three defendants pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Caitlin Powell, of Wadham Road, Bootle, additionally admitted to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
At Liverpool Crown Court on January 13, 2026, Judge Gary Woodhall sentenced Aaron Newsome to a 12-month prison term, suspended for 15 months. The judge noted Newsome's panic and fear of being deemed an unfit parent, as well as his ADHD, dyslexia, and traumatic childhood.
Carl Powell, a father-of-nine with 24 previous convictions, received a 15-month sentence, also suspended for 15 months. The judge stated Powell acted out of fear his daughter would be taken away and his grandson placed into care.
Caitlin Powell's sentencing, scheduled for January 15, was adjourned to February 4, 2026, because the dog's current owner, Rebecca Cahill, could not be traced. Judge Woodhall explained he needed to decide whether to issue a destruction order for the dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act before passing sentence, hinting she would also likely receive a suspended term.
The judge condemned the trio, stating, "Your primary concerns should have been protecting this child - your son, your grandson - and ensuring the dog that had caused it didn't pose a risk to the public." The baby has since almost completely healed from his injuries.
