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The mum and gran of a six-month-old baby girl who was mauled to death by an American pitbull in a horror attack have been jailed.

Claire Riley, 23, was sentenced to two years in prison today following her daughter Molly-Mae Wotherspoon's death on October 3, 2014.

Susan Aucott - who was looking after her granddaughter when the dog escaped from its cage and attacked her - was handed the same term.

Molly-Mae was grabbed by her head by the 'jealous' canine, called Bruiser, during the 'sustained attack' at her Northamptonshire home.

She died of blood loss after suffering a catalogue of injuries, including a fractured skull and bites to all four limbs, at the terraced house.

(Image: SWNS) (Image: SWNS)

(Image: SWNS)

Northampton Crown Court heard that the little girl was being looked after by Aucott, an alcoholic, because her mum was on a night out with friends.

The 5lb dog, which was known to be 'aggressive' and jealous of the infant, escaped from its enclosure in the kitchen of the house in Daventry.

It then opened the door to the living room, where Molly-Mae was on the changing mat, and targeted the helpless baby like 'prey'.

Aucott, who was drinking wine 'to excess', did not react when she heard Bruiser force his way out of the crate, the court heard.

The 56-year-old tried to intervene after realising her granddaughter was being brutally mauled, but was powerless against the huge canine.

Molly-Mae suffered 'bite injuries to every limb' and 'multiple deep lacerations to the head and face' in the attack at around 10.30pm.

(Image: PA)

(Image: SWNS)

Police and paramedics rushed to the property in Morning Star Road, after Aucott - who suffered minor injuries in the incident - dialled 999.

The animal could be heard still attacking the baby during the call, the court heard.

Molly-Mae was tragically pronounced dead at the scene at 11.08pm. Her tiny body was later taken to Northampton General Hospital.

James House, prosecuting, said: "He was an aggressive and dangerous dog and should not have been left in the house with a person who could not control him.

"The attack was sustained. Susan Aucott simply was unable to bring Bruiser under control or remove Molly-Mae from the situation."

He added: ""A canine expert has told us that the sound of Molly-Mae crying would have ignited a killer instinct in Bruiser which would have made him see the child as prey. "

(Image: PA)

(Image: SWNS)

One vet who had previously seen Bruiser described him as 'one of the most aggressive dogs she had ever seen', Mr House said.

The animal - whose breed has been banned in the UK since the early 90s under the Dangerous Dogs Act - was pepper-sprayed and put down at the scene.

Officers searching the house found the dog had been given insufficient water and was being kept in a crate which was too small for it.

Sentencing Riley and Aucott today, Mrs Justice Carr QC said: "This was a tragic and totally avoidable incident. Dog owners and those in charge of dogs carry heavy responsibilities, both for the welfare of the dogs and those around them.

"Bruiser was a large, strong and aggressive dog.

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"He should never have been living cooped up in a small house with a new baby and the two of them should never have been left alone in the charge of someone such as Susan Aucott.

"Bruiser posed an obvious and overwhelming risk to Molly-Mae and Claire Riley, you have accepted you did not reasonably believe your mother to be a fit and proper person to be in charge of him."

The judge added: "Susan Aucott, you never walked Bruiser and you never saw your daughter walk him.

"The cage for Buster was too flimsy and he escaped without apparent difficulty in order to attack Molly-Mae."

Speaking after the hearing, James Allen, head of the Complex Casework Unit for the CPS East Midlands, agreed the child's death was 'entirely avoidable'.

He said: "Molly-Mae's death was a tragedy for all concerned. Sadly, the simple truth is that her death in October 2014 was entirely avoidable.

"Molly Mae's death would not have happened if two of the people closest to her had acted, as any reasonable person would have done, and never allowed such an aggressive and dangerous dog to be in the same small house as a young and vulnerable child."

Jen Helm, Northampshire Police Detective Superintendent for Safeguarding Children, also spoke out after today's sentencing.

She said: “We welcome the sentences handed down today which bring to a close a key chapter in what has been an extremely challenging investigation by Northamptonshire Police."

She added: “If anything good is to come out of this it surely has to be a greater awareness about the ownership of banned breeds and the danger generally of dogs – any dog – being left in close proximity to a very small child."

Riley and Aucott had earlier been pictured arriving at the court, with loved ones desperately trying to shield them from photographers.

In chaotic scenes, a man appeared to swing an object at a male photographer as he attempted to capture a picture of Aucott.

The defendants could be seen using blankets and umbrellas to hide their faces.

Riley, of Northampton, had pleaded guilty to owning a dangerously out of control dog at a previous court hearing.

Meanwhile, Aucott, also of Northampton, had admitted to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog.

In October 2014, senior coroner for Northamptonshire, Anne Pember, said the family had paid the 'ultimate price' for owning the outlawed breed.

Meanwhile, neighbours told of how two pit bull-type dogs were constantly fighting at the property in the months before Molly-Mae's death.

The sentencing had been due to be held last month, but was adjourned after Riley and Aucott were involved in a scuffle outside court.

The fracas, involving photographers and family members, took place on August 26 as the defendants made their way into court.

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Riley was taken away from court by ambulance following the incident, during which a man could be heard shouting: "He's assaulted my daughter."

It is understood paramedics were called to reports of a woman collapsing outside the court.

In July, it emerged that Riley is expecting another child.

Today, the mum, wearing a light brown dress, sobbed in the dock as the judge told her she would give birth to her second child behind bars.

Both defendants have been banned from owning dogs for 10 years.

They must serve at least half their prison sentences.