A woman in charge of a pit bull that went on to leave a child hospitalised has been sentenced.

Krishka Elizabeth Jackson, from Church Street in Helston, had previously pleaded guilty to being in charge of a white pit bull terrier when it injured a child under the age of ten in Penzance.

The child was bitten on the leg while playing at Alexandra Play Park on October 19 last year.

Truro Magistrates' Court heard that the dog had been "dangerously out of control" when it attacked the child, who had to be taken to hospital over the injuries.

Magistrates committed 40-year-old Jackson to Truro Crown Court for sentencing, with her hearing taking place this afternoon.

She was given a 12-month community order, with no order made against the dog.

The court heard she had been in charge of a friend's dog at the time, with the animal since returned to its owner.

Information on the government website gov.uk states that is against the law in the UK to own certain types of dog, including a pit bull terrier.

Others include the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.

It follows the government introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, which was designed to try and stamp out illegal dog fighting.

However, if a person owns a dog that is banned but a court thinks it’s not a danger to the public it may be put on an Index of Exempted Dogs and the owner will be allowed to keep it.