Lee Wright, whose pit bull terrier killed 11-month-old Ava-Jayne Corless, was found guilty of possessing a dangerous dog after a two-day trial at Blackburn Magistrates' Court.

He and the child's mother had been asleep when the attack took place in February last year.

The 27-year-old thought the dog was blocked in the kitchen by a speaker and golf bag stand.

But the injuries it inflicted on Ava-Jayne led a coroner to describe it as the "most horrendous" case he had seen in 20 years.

Passing sentence, District Judge Gerald Chalk said: "It is my intention to send you to prison today.

"I found you guilty, I accept culpability is not the highest because you did not know the dog was a pit bull type.

"You allowed a dog of nine stone in weight to have contact with a young child asleep in your bed.

"You were aware that dog had access. That dog killed that child in an offence of the gravest harm imaginable.

"Only a custodial sentence can be justified. You clearly felt the tragedy and have shown some remorse."

Wright was also banned from keeping any dog for five years.

District Judge Chalk added: "I ask you to think very carefully in the next five years to think whether you are in a fit state to keep a dog."

Speaking after the case a Lancashire Constabulary police spokesman said: "This was an absolutely horrific incident in which a baby girl lost her life and first and foremost our thoughts remain with Ava-Jayne's family.

"Her death was tragic and wholly avoidable were it not for Lee Wright having in his possession an animal which was clearly capable of causing serious injury."

The pit bull was put down in the immediate aftermath of the attack.