A DOG owner must pay compensation after his Staffordshire bull terrier injured a child.

Stephen Cavill was walking his dog Jet in a field in Stanway in December when the youngster was hurt.

Cavill, of Ratcliffe Road, Colchester, admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

The 50-year-old was handed a community order including 50 hours of unpaid work and must pay £600 compensation.

A hearing has been scheduled for a possible destruction order to be made in relation to the dog.