By . Kieran Corcoran . A man whose pregnant partner was killed by their two pit bull-type dogs has walked free from court. Lee Horner, 34, could have been jailed for his illegal dogs’ brutal attack – but was given a community order instead because of the emotional distress of losing his partner. The dogs – named Bella and Dollar - killed 27-year-old Emma Bennett while she was pregnant with her fifth child. Freed: Lee Horner, left, was given a community order and a dog owning ban rather than a custodial sentence because he felt remorse that his illegal dogs killed his pregnant girlfriend Emma Bennet, right . Horner was out at the time, but a neighbour heard Miss Bennett shouting and called police. Officers arrived at the house in Leeds to find the dogs with bloodied snouts, and their victim with severe head and shoulder injuries. Horner admitted breaking the Dangerous Dogs Act by owning the pets, and was sentenced today at Leeds Magistrates’ Court. He was given a community order and 280 hours unpaid work on account of his remorse. He was also banned from keeping dogs for life. Relatives of Miss Bennett say they wish he had been given a custodial sentence. Her brother David Garside said: ‘I’m no graduate of law but I would have at least liked to have seen him sentenced to some time behind bars. ‘I’m worried the authorities won’t be able to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t have dogs.’ Deputy District Judge Tim Spruce made clear the case ‘crossed the custody threshold’ but said he felt it was not appropriate to jail him given the personal loss he had suffered. When Horner appeared before magistrates last month, prosecutors described how Horner was out when police arrived at the house he shared with Miss Bennett in Dawlish Avenue after being alerted by neighbours who heard a noise they first thought was an argument. Miss Bennett was heard to shout: ‘No, no, no.’ Banned: Experts confirmed the two dogs, Bella and Dollar, were illegal pitbull-type animals (file photo) The two officers went inside after getting no response and found the two dogs acting excitably with blood on their snouts. They tried to resuscitate Miss Bennett, who had suffered severe injuries to her face and head, but she did not survive. Prosecutor Vincent O’Malley told the court how two women social workers visited the house in July last year and Horner told one of them: 'Shut it or I’ll set the dog on you.' He said that Horner told the other social worker, who was eight months pregnant at the time: 'What you looking at? Wait until I get the dog and see if you continue looking at me like that.' Sentencing today, Mr Spruce said the legislation was designed to protect the public from certain breeds 'because these animals are inclined to be unpredictable in nature and often with devastating consequences'. The district judge said: 'That unpredictability, those consequences could not be more solemnly illustrated than in the unique and tragic circumstances of the case before the court today. 'Two dogs with no previous recorded history of difficulty, danger or harm have set up their owner in circumstances which may never be entirely clear.' Mr Spruce said: 'This was a truly shocking, tragic and disturbing episode.' He told Horner: 'No sentence this court can impose could possibly compensate or make good or recompense for the loss of a beloved granddaughter, sister, daughter and mother.' The district judge said he was satisfied the defendant did not know the dogs were banned . but also that he made no effort to find out. He said he was 'ambivalent' to the possibility of the risk they posed. 'Those risks are now catastrophically obvious,' Mr Spruce said. He told Horner: 'The devastating consequences of your decision making, Mr Horner, are something you will have to live with for the rest of your life.' Mr Spruce banned Horner from keeping dogs for life. He ordered him to pay £500 towards the destruction of the two dogs and their housing since the incident. He will also have to pay £240 in prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge. Horner left court without comment, referring all questions to his solicitor.
Lee Horner, 34, owned illegal dogs which mauled his girlfriend to death .
Emma Bennett, 27, was found by police officers next to bloodied dogs .
Miss Bennett was eight months pregnant at the time with her fifth child .
Horner had previously threatened to 'set the dog on' visitors .
Horner was spared jail because of his remorse at losing his partner .
After sentencing in Leeds, victim's brother said he wished Horner were jailed .
By . Kieran Corcoran . A man whose pregnant partner was killed by their two pit bull-type dogs has walked free from court. Lee Horner, 34, could have been jailed for his illegal dogs’ brutal attack – but was given a community order instead because of the emotional distress of losing his partner. The dogs – named Bella and Dollar - killed 27-year-old Emma Bennett while she was pregnant with her fifth child. Freed: Lee Horner, left, was given a community order and a dog owning ban rather than a custodial sentence because he felt remorse that his illegal dogs killed his pregnant girlfriend Emma Bennet, right . Horner was out at the time, but a neighbour heard Miss Bennett shouting and called police. Officers arrived at the house in Leeds to find the dogs with bloodied snouts, and their victim with severe head and shoulder injuries. Horner admitted breaking the Dangerous Dogs Act by owning the pets, and was sentenced today at Leeds Magistrates’ Court. He was given a community order and 280 hours unpaid work on account of his remorse. He was also banned from keeping dogs for life. Relatives of Miss Bennett say they wish he had been given a custodial sentence. Her brother David Garside said: ‘I’m no graduate of law but I would have at least liked to have seen him sentenced to some time behind bars. ‘I’m worried the authorities won’t be able to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t have dogs.’ Deputy District Judge Tim Spruce made clear the case ‘crossed the custody threshold’ but said he felt it was not appropriate to jail him given the personal loss he had suffered. When Horner appeared before magistrates last month, prosecutors described how Horner was out when police arrived at the house he shared with Miss Bennett in Dawlish Avenue after being alerted by neighbours who heard a noise they first thought was an argument. Miss Bennett was heard to shout: ‘No, no, no.’ Banned: Experts confirmed the two dogs, Bella and Dollar, were illegal pitbull-type animals (file photo) The two officers went inside after getting no response and found the two dogs acting excitably with blood on their snouts. They tried to resuscitate Miss Bennett, who had suffered severe injuries to her face and head, but she did not survive. Prosecutor Vincent O’Malley told the court how two women social workers visited the house in July last year and Horner told one of them: 'Shut it or I’ll set the dog on you.' He said that Horner told the other social worker, who was eight months pregnant at the time: 'What you looking at? Wait until I get the dog and see if you continue looking at me like that.' Sentencing today, Mr Spruce said the legislation was designed to protect the public from certain breeds 'because these animals are inclined to be unpredictable in nature and often with devastating consequences'. The district judge said: 'That unpredictability, those consequences could not be more solemnly illustrated than in the unique and tragic circumstances of the case before the court today. 'Two dogs with no previous recorded history of difficulty, danger or harm have set up their owner in circumstances which may never be entirely clear.' Mr Spruce said: 'This was a truly shocking, tragic and disturbing episode.' He told Horner: 'No sentence this court can impose could possibly compensate or make good or recompense for the loss of a beloved granddaughter, sister, daughter and mother.' The district judge said he was satisfied the defendant did not know the dogs were banned . but also that he made no effort to find out. He said he was 'ambivalent' to the possibility of the risk they posed. 'Those risks are now catastrophically obvious,' Mr Spruce said. He told Horner: 'The devastating consequences of your decision making, Mr Horner, are something you will have to live with for the rest of your life.' Mr Spruce banned Horner from keeping dogs for life. He ordered him to pay £500 towards the destruction of the two dogs and their housing since the incident. He will also have to pay £240 in prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge. Horner left court without comment, referring all questions to his solicitor.
dogs has walked free from court. Lee Horner, 34, instead because of the emotional distress of losing his partner. The dogs – named Bella and she was pregnant with her fifth child. Freed: Lee because he felt remorse that his illegal dogs killed his pregnant girlfriend Emma Bennet, right . Horner was out at the time, but a neighbour Officers arrived at the house in Leeds to find tried to resuscitate Miss Bennett, who had dog on you.' He said that Horner told the other social worker, who was eight months pregnant at