The uncle of a four-year-old boy who was mauled to death by a pit-bull has pleaded guilty to breeding and owning a dangerous dog.

Christian Foulkes, 21, of Ash Grove, Wavertree, pleaded guilty to three counts under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

John Paul Massey suffered fatal injuries when he was savaged by the family pet in Wavertree last November.

Foulkes, who appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, will be sentenced next month.

He will be sentenced for two counts of possession of a dangerous dog and a count of breeding a dangerous dog. A further count of giving a dangerous dog as a gift was withdrawn by the prosecution.

John Paul was savaged by the pet dog while he was being looked after by his grandmother at her home in Ash Grove, Wavertree, on 30 November.

Despite her efforts to save him, John Paul died shortly after the attack. The dog was killed by police marksmen, who shot it twice in the garden at the home.

Following his death, it emerged that Merseyside Police did not take action after receiving an earlier report of dog breeding taking place at John Paul's grandmother's home.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is currently investigating the case.

Foulkes was originally arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but was not charged with the offence.

The 21-year-old wrote a message to his nephew at the funeral which read: "If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane we would walk right up to heaven and bring you back again."

Foulkes was away training to join the Army when the dog attacked John Paul.

Tests showed that the animal was a pit-bull, a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

such a sad case, but one seen all to often these days, I just wish people would learn...

Some children don`t stand a chance do they?
Does anyone else find it odd that a small child is given crisps at midnight and is apparently sleeping in the same room as the family`s pit bull stud dog while mum is out?
Or am I being judgemental?

Nope, not too judgmental at all. Some people are just idiots and shouldn't have kids OR dogs.

That being said, what test proved the dog was any sort of breed? Those DNA tests are all a big scam and pretty much prove nothing.