A schoolgirl has been left scarred and terrified after being attacked by XL-Bully, whose owner was drunk.

Darren Yates was out with his dog near  Hulton Lane playing fields in July last year.

He appeared in Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced.

Two girls, one of whom was 11, were walking back home together and went onto the road to avoid the dog.

As Yates stumbled and appeared drunk the dog dragged him towards the girls.

The dog bit the 11-year-old's arm, pulled away and licked its lips before biting it again.

The girl eventually pulled her arm away and described blood coming out “like a tap.”

She was taken to hospital and will be left permanent scarring.

When members of her family confronted Yates and said they would be calling the police he said “oh for God’s sake.”

Megan Horner, prosecuting, read a victim impact statement from the young girl.

She said: “Since this incident I do not like to play out now.

“I am scared of walking down that street.

“I am really anxious even in the car, when we drive down I am worried I may see him or his family members who were there on the night.

“I have scars on my arm for this incident.

“That is a constant reminder.

“I don’t go on walks with my family for fear of seeing other dogs.”

When interviewed by the police he apologised and said it was an accident, and added that he was drunk at the time.

Yates, 52 and from Rothbury Court, Daubhill, Bolton, appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting being  the owner or person in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control and cause injury.

A destruction order for the dog was made earlier this year.

The court heard he had 27 previous convictions but had been out of trouble since 2013 before this incident.

However after this incident he was given a community order for threatening behaviour which is not related to this incident.

Judge Abigail Hudson decided to delay sentence to see what progress he is making on this order.

She said if he failed to comply a prison sentence would be likely.

She said: “If there is not compliance it rather takes the matter out of my hands.”

Yates will return to be sentenced in September.