Lee Maynard, 25, will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court

by Julia Roberts

A man jumped onto the roof of a car to escape a dog attack, a court heard today.

Jake Austin was bitten by the Staffordshire bull terrier after it chased him down Saunders Street in Gillingham on September 5 last year.

Its owner, Lee Maynard, today pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.

The 25-year-old denied a charge of wounding Mr Austin with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on the same occasion and this was accepted by the prosecution.

The court heard Mr Austin was seriously injured during the dog attack and when he subsequently fell off the car.

Sentencing of Maynard, of Mill Road, Gillingham, was adjourned for reports until November 26.

Andrew Espley, prosecuting, said the court would also have to decide the dog's fate by considering “whether it constitutes a danger to public safety”.

Maynard was released on bail.