A MAN whose Rottweiler dogs savaged an 11-year-old boy causing fatal injuries will not face criminal charges, despite an unlawful killing verdict at an inquest into the boy's death.

Police have revealed the Crown Prosecution Service does not intend to prosecute Kevin Tierney, of Redearth Road, Darwen whose animals savaged David Kearney two days before Christmas last year.

And the family of the 11-year-old who had climbed into the dog owner's back yard unaware that the dogs were there, said they did not intend at present intend to take civil action against him.

A spokesman for Blackburn CID said: "We have received confirmation from the CPS that there will be no further action." John Dewhurst, solicitor on behalf of David's mother Margaret Kearney, of Meadow Gate, Darwen, said: "Mr Tierney was able to apologise publicly for the first time at the inquest.

"I think that went some way to helping Mrs Kearney and the family. They don't feel the same antipathy towards him any more.

"The family also feels they would not want to relive the case by going through another court hearing."

Mr Dewhurst said the Kearneys hoped vital lessons had been learned from the death.

David died from his injuries 11 days after he was mauled by the dogs after fighting against gangrene and other infections in Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester.

A jury returned an unlawful killing verdict at a Blackburn inquest in August.

Coroner Andre Rebello presented a report of the inquest to the CPS for their deliberation. No one from the service would comment on the case.

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