Gary Stevens: Man, 55, jailed after admitting being in charge of eight-stone dog that killed his brother in Derby

A man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after he admitted being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog that killed his younger brother.

Gary Stevens, 55, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act after his brother Wayne Stevens, 51, was mauled to death at their house in Cameron Road, Derby, during the early hours of 22 April 2023.

Stevens knew that the eight-stone dog was aggressive and told police it had already bitten people and other dogs in the past.

None of these were reported and while Stevens tried to claim they were just "nips", Derby Crown Court heard the animal "would normally go for the face and neck" when it attacked.

The 14-month-old Cane Corso cross, called Ace, was shot dead at the scene by police after it got loose and a drunk Stevens was abusive to emergency workers.

During the sentencing on Friday, Stevens sat with his head bowed in the dock as prosecutors outlined how his sibling was found dead at their home.

Stevens called East Midlands Ambulance Service just before 6am to report that his dog had attacked a man.

Judge Shaun Smith KC was told that Stevens wrongly told an emergency operator that the Cane Corso cross was a poodle before police and paramedics were confronted by the "incredibly heavy" dog.

Stevens was abusive to emergency crews before the "frenzied" animal was repeatedly tasered and eventually shot.

Prosecutor Laura Pitman told the court Stevens had sworn at officers, held the dog's lead slackly and let the animal loose, causing some of the emergency services to "retreat" inside vehicles.

Gary Stevens 'mocked' police

The judge told the father-of-three: "Paramedics and police officers attended the scene and you came to the front door clearly very drunk.

"You were obstructive as your exchanges with the officers continued.

"Police officers tried to persuade you to bring the dog under control - your response was to mock them for standing back."

The judge added: "I am entirely satisfied that you clearly knew of the dangers this dog presented prior to that fateful night.

"There was a lack or loss of control of the dog due to the influence of alcohol."

Stevens tried and failed to save his younger brother from the caninel he described as a "biting dog".

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Paramedic bitten by animal

At one point, an ambulance technician "bravely" entered the house to try and check on Mr Stevens and was bitten on the thigh by the dog.

The court was told that the brothers had been drinking vodka together before the incident and Mr Stevens died at the foot of a stairway, suffering what the judge described as "multiple, massive and horrific" injuries.

When asked how the attack might have begun, Stevens said: "My brother speaks with his hands, especially after a drink.

"He can be quite aggressive in his tone and the dog would react to that.

"I think that must have been the trigger - it's the only thing I can think of."

Alongside his prison sentence, Stevens was banned from keeping a dog for life.

The court was told that the Cane Corso cross was a "blend with some sort of bull terrier" which was not an XL bully, and was given to Stevens by a mother-of-five who had "too much going on" to look after it.

Tony Stanford, on behalf of Stevens, previously told the court it was "an extremely upsetting incident for [Stevens] to witness and be a part of".

"He tried to pull the dog off his brother, to save his brother," he said.

(c) Sky News 2024: Gary Stevens: Man, 55, jailed after admitting being in charge of eight-stone dog that kille