A DOG bit a woman’s face so badly she was left needing plastic surgery, a Swindon court was told.

Now, the man responsible for the Alsatian on the night of the attack could face a prison sentence after he was charged with being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Derek Price, 60, of Wiltshire Avenue, entered no plea when he appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

JPs heard the dog, a German Shepherd-type, mauled the woman after she returned to Price’s home on December 12 last year. The woman was left with a gash across her face and puncture wounds to her arm, said prosecutor Nick Barr.

The case was transferred to Swindon Crown Court, with magistrates saying their powers of sentencing were insufficient to hear the case. If convicted, Price could be jailed for 18 months.

Price will appear before the crown court on June 28 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

He was released on unconditional bail.