A COURT has ordered the destruction of a dog which belonged to a man who died after a late-night disturbance at a town precinct.

South Cheshire Magistrates' Court ruled the American bulldog cross, known as Buster - which injured three people in attacks last summer - would have to be put down because no-one had come forward to take ownership of him.

The dog belonged to Keagan Crimes, who died after an incident in Cheviot Square in Winsford on Sunday, October 11. Cheshire Police are still pursuing a murder investigation after the death of the 27-year-old Crewe Alex fan.

Two weeks before he died, Mr Crimes admitted three offences of being the owner of a dog which while dangerously out of control injured Lilly Hamlett, Michael Burgess and Wayne Munnerley on June 15.

Buster was taken into police custody, but at a previous hearing it was stated there was hope that a friend of Mr Crimes', Lee Prendergast, might take on ownership of the dog.

But the Crown Prosecution Service maintained they were seeking a destruction order and District Judge Nick Sanders admitted: "There's not much we can do, unless it can be shown that the dog doesn't represent a risk to public safety.

"I'm not sure the police could have given the dog to the friend anyway. No-one has come forward to claim the dog."

Solicitor Stuart Flood explained: "The personal circumstances of the man who agreed to take the dog have changed, he has had to move in with his mother.

"It is a question whether the court feels that the dog should be destroyed immediately."

At a previous hearing it was said an expert was requested to assess the dog, but Covid-19 issues meant the dog remained in a police compound.

South Cheshire Magistrates' Court issued the destruction order against the American Bulldog cross under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

They also ruled the convictions against Mr Crimes would stand, but proceedings would be ended.

Six teenage boys, aged between 15 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of Mr Crimes' murder. They were all released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information should call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 825705 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.