A 49-year-old Ipswich woman accused of being the owner of a dangerous XL bully that injured two people last summer will have to wait until May 2026 for her trial to take place due to delays in the criminal justice system.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday for a plea and trial preparation hearing was Joanne Robinson, of Hayman Road, Ipswich.

She pleaded not guilty to being the owner of a chocolate-coloured American XL bully named Rocko which caused injury to two people while dangerously out of control on Nacton Shores on July 11 last year.

An earlier hearing was told the dog was destroyed shortly after the alleged incident.

Robinson’s trial, which is expected to last three days, will take place during a two week warned list commencing May 5 2026.

Recorder Emma Nash apologised to Robinson for the long delay.

“You may have read about the case backlog. It is very real, I’m afraid,” said the judge.

A case management hearing will take place on January 14 2025.

Robinson is on unconditional bail.