Northamptonshire mum whose baby was killed by illegal dog fails to appear at court

The court was told Claire Riley, aged 23, of Far Cotton, did not appear as she had a doctor’s note for a medical condition.

However, the victim’s grandmother, Susan Aucott, aged 55, of Alfred Street, Northampton town centre, appeared before the judge to face a charge of being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Riley also faces a charge of being the owner or person in charge of a dog, dangerously out of control.

Molly-Mae Wotherspoon died as a result of wounds inflicted by an American pit bull, following the attack at an address on Morning Star Road, Daventry, on October 3, 2014.

The pair, who deny the charges, are next due to appear at Northampton Crown Court on May 23 with a five-day trial set listed to start on June 7.