A MAN accused of owning two XL bully dogs which mauled a pensioner to death will stand trial after he denied the charges against him.

Ashley Warren, 40, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday to deny two charges of owning a dangerously out of control dog causing injury resulting in death.

He also denied a third charge of possessing a knife at Clacton railway station.

The charges came after Esther Martin, 68, died in Jaywick on February 3 after allegedly being mauled by the dogs, named Beauty and Bear.

The grandmother lived in Woodford Green in east London and was visiting Jaywick when she was allegedly attacked by the two dogs, which Essex Police later said were XL bullies.

Warren, who previously lived in Hillman Avenue, Jaywick, and is now of Walnut Road in east London, became the first person to face the dangerous dog charges after the XL bully breed was outlawed two days before the incident.

Mrs Martin's cause of death was later given at an inquest as “dog bite wounds to the upper right limb”.

The XL bullies were destroyed by police.

Mr Warren appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court last month when defence barrister Ian Clift told the court Warren would not indicate any pleas to the dangerous dog charges.

On Thursday, Warren arrived at court wearing a black leather jacket and brown shirt, and spoke quietly when he denied the charges before Judge Alexander Mills.

Preparations were then made for Warren’s trial, which has been fixed for Monday, August 11 of next year.

The defendant is required to provide a defence statement by the end of next month.

Judge Mills said: “At your trial you will have the right to give evidence – that is something you will need to discuss with your lawyers in due course.”