A MAN, who was jailed after unleashing his dog on a man who later died, has pleaded guilty to breaching a court order by owning two dogs.

John Palmer, of Morris Avenue, admitted ignoring the order at Halton Magistrates' Court after he was banned in 2011 from possessing a dog.

The court heard how the 32-year-old was arrested after police carried out a raid at his home in Latchford on July 7 and seized two American Bulldogs.

Palmer was also arrested for drug possession after a quantity of cannabis was discovered at the house.

Magistrates sentenced Palmer to pay £360 in court costs, a victim surcharge and a fine after admitting the two charges.

Palmer has previously been banned from owning a dog after pleading guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm, two counts of assault and of owning the dog which was out of control in 2011.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Palmer owned an American bulldog which attacked two men on September 3, 2009.

Palmer had become involved in an argument with Simon Whittall and Stephen Littlewood on Froghall Lane around 1pm that suddenly became violent.

Witnesses saw the defendant release bulldog ‘Dougie’ which attacked Mr Littlewood, biting him.

He managed to escape without serious injury, but the horror continued as the dog attacked Mr Whittall, who suffered bites on his arms, legs, torso and groin.

Palmer also repeatedly hit him with the dog chain and stamped on his head. The attack only finished when two women shouted for the defendant to stop.

Mr Whittall, aged 39, later died on September 9 after suffering a bleed to his brain, but Judge John Roberts said medical evidence did not prove that Palmer’s attack had caused his death.

Palmer, who has previous convictions for affray, criminal damage and cultivating and possessing cannabis, was sentence to three and a half years.