Police investigating a fatal dog attack on a classroom assistant have charged her landlord with possession of an illegal dog and failing to ensure an animal's welfare.

Alex Blackburn-Smith, 34, of Demesme Road, Wallington, was charged today after an investigation in to the attack on Barbara Williams, 52, in their home in Wallington on December 23 last year.

The volunteer from St Elphege's Roman Catholic Junior School died after she was mauled by an 8st Italian mastiff, which is understood to have belonged to Mr Blackburn-Smith, her landlord.

She was still struggling with the animal when police arrived at the scene and shot it dead.

A post-mortem gave her cause of death as severe haemorrhage to the head and neck.

Mr Blackburn-Smith was arrested on Christmas Eve on suspicion of manslaughter, and cultivating cannabis.

A puppy was also removed from the property. Mr Blackburn-Smith was charged with posession of an illegal dog after it was found to be a pitbull-type dog.

The animal welfare charges, under section nine of the Animal Welfare Act, relate to a third dog that was being kept at the property None of the charges relate to the mastiff which killed Mrs Williams.

Mr Blackburn-Smith has been bailed to return to Croydon magistrates' court on June 14.