The uncle of tragic John Paul Massey has made his first appearance in court charged in connection with the dangerous dog that killed the youngster.
John Paul, aged 4, was mauled to death by a banned Pitbull-type dog named "Uno" at his grandmother's house in Ash Grove Wavertree, Liverpool, last year.
Trainee soldier Christian Foulkes, 22, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates Court wearing a black suit and gold-coloured tie to answer a series of charges.
Blonde-haired Foulkes showed no emotion as the clerk to the court read out the four charges he faces under Section One of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
They are two separate charges of possessing an illegal pitbull-type dog, one count of breeding illegal pitbull-type dogs and a fouth offence of making a gift of such a dog.
Six-foot tall Foulkes spoke only to confirm his name and magistrate Mrs Miriam Skelvy asked if he was ready to enter a plea to the charges.
However, defending solicitor Mr Mark Ellis explained that he had been handed the files in case only an hour earlier and requested an adjournment, which was granted.
Foulkes was remanded on unconditional bail to re-appear before the same court at 9.45am on 11th May 2010.
Members of Foulkes' family were in the public gallery to witness the five-minute hearing, including John Paul's mother Angela McGlynn, 38.
SIMON DANSO, GHANA around 2 years ago