THE fate of a dog belonging to a man who died after a late-night disturbance in a town precinct lies in the balance, South Cheshire Magistrates' Court was told.

The American bulldog cross, known as Buster, belonged to Keagan Crimes, who died after an incident in Cheviot Square in Winsford last month.

Cheshire Police launched a murder investigation into the death of the 27-year-old Crewe Alex fan, whose dog injured three people in attacks in Winsford this summer.

When he appeared in court two weeks before his death, 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.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on the owner. But after South Cheshire Magistrates heard that they would be unable to conclude matters against the defendant, they were told they still needed to decide what to do with his dog, who is being kept in a Cheshire Police compound.

Solicitor Stuart Flood told the Crewe court that the Crown Prosecution Service were still seeking a destruction order, but that there might be hope for Buster, yet.

"There was an application that the court should order destruction if there was no doubt the dog was dangerous to other people," outlined Mr Flood.

"We requested an expert to assess whether Mr Crimes was suitable to be a dog owner or whether the dog should be destroyed. The expert's instructions is because of Covid he has been unable to get hold of the dog who is in a police compound; The Crown is still seeking a destruction order.

"Mr Crimes died two weeks after he entered a plea, but the dog is still an issue."

Mr Flood added: "There is a very good friend of Mr Crimes' who is willing to take the dog in."

Magistrates agreed to adjourn matters until January 6, 20121 before deciding the fate of Buster, who will remain with police until then.

The police investigation into Mr Crimes' death - which detectives do not believe was as a result of a random attack - has included an appeal for mobile phone or dashcam footage taken around the time of the incident at around 10.30pm on Sunday, October 11.

Six teenage boys, aged between 15 and 17, arrested on suspicion of murder, have all been 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.