“ALL CHEWED UP”: PENSIONER ACCUSED OF HIDING DOGS AFTER LANDLORD FOUND DEAD WITH MORE THAN 1,000 BITE MARKS

A disturbing trial in the UK has heard how a 78-year-old woman allegedly moved two of her Bernese mountain dogs after discovering her landlord lying dead in his garden with more than 1,000 bite and claw marks.

The victim, 77-year-old Antony Harrington, was found at his home in Meriden, West Midlands, in November 2023. The trial is now examining what happened in the hours surrounding his death.

A HORRIFYING DISCOVERY

Prosecutors say Harrington suffered extensive injuries to his head, neck, arms, chest, legs and back.

When June Miles discovered him, she allegedly called emergency services and told the operator that he was “all chewed up.”

The court heard that Miles had previously taken Harrington a cup of tea shortly before 9:30 a.m. She later returned after visiting friends and found him dead.

WHY WERE TWO DOGS MOVED?

One of the central questions at trial concerns two of Miles’ Bernese mountain dogs — Nigel and Otis.

Prosecutors allege Miles moved the dogs to a derelict outbuilding at a property where she had previously lived.

Police reportedly found them there the following day.

The prosecution has pointed to blood on Nigel’s muzzle that matched Harrington’s DNA, which prosecutors say provides a clear inference that Nigel was involved in the attack.

However, investigators have reportedly been unable to establish exactly which other dogs, if any, were involved.

MILES DENIES HIDING EVIDENCE

Miles told the court she had moved the dogs because of concerns about burglaries in the area.

She denied knowing that her dogs had attacked Harrington.

She also described herself as devastated when she discovered his body.

Miles has denied perverting the course of justice.

However, she has admitted being the owner of a dog that caused an injury during a separate incident involving Harrington’s daughter the day before his death.

THE QUESTION NOW BEFORE THE JURY

The prosecution is asking jurors to consider whether moving the dogs was an attempt to conceal what had happened.

The defense maintains that Miles did not know her dogs were responsible for Harrington’s death and says there was another explanation for why she relocated them.

A BODY WITH MORE THAN 1,000 BITE AND CLAW MARKS.

A DOG WITH THE VICTIM’S DNA ON ITS MUZZLE.

AND TWO DOGS MOVED BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED.

But those facts still have to be examined against all of the evidence.

June Miles has not been convicted, and the trial is ongoing. The jury will ultimately determine what happened to Antony Harrington and whether Miles deliberately attempted to conceal evidence.