Son guilty of neglecting his mother

A man has pleaded guilty to the wilful neglect of his 94-year-old mother who had dementia.

Graham Walsh, 74, had been caring for his mother, following her release from a care home in 2017. He failed to provide the appropriate care for Lillian Walsh and she died on 17 March 2019 whilst in hospital.

Alan Pope, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Lillian Walsh was robbed of her dignity and suffered terribly during the last months and days of her life, when her son, who should have loved and cared for her instead left her to live in squalor.

“Not only had he neglected her basic hygiene needs, but he had also failed to seek medical attention for her bedsores, and it was days before he reported her injured leg.

“Everyone involved in the case has been deeply concerned by the complete lack of basic care and compassion."

In 2017, Lillian Walsh was a resident at a care home following a period in hospital. In January 2018, following a care meeting attended by Graham Walsh, Lillian Walsh was discharged into the care of her son at their family home in Ramsbottom. A hoist and other medical equipment were provided to Graham Walsh, and he was trained to use them.

Between January 2018 and March 2019, Walsh sought no social care assistance for Lillian, so she was not seen by social care or medical professionals.

On 18 December 2018, Walsh called the emergency services reporting that his mother had a very painful leg. He mentioned that she had dementia, and he was unsure whether or not she had hurt her leg in a fall. He also alluded to the fact that she had what he described as ‘another little problem’, which was later found to be a severe pressure sore.

He later received a call from the out of hours doctor and a GP also called him the same day, but he informed them that his mother was feeling better and would not need assistance.

On 15 March 2019, shortly before 6pm, Walsh again called emergency services reporting that he suspected his mother had broken her leg. During the call he also mentioned that she had some pressure sores that he had been treating with cream.

When paramedics attended a short time later Walsh told them he was Lillian’s carer. He took them upstairs to Lillian’s bedroom where paramedics found Lillian in a state of undress, on a dirty mattress.

Walsh told them she had fallen out of bed, and he later noticed an abnormality in the position of her leg which was why he had called them to attend.

Lillian was taken to North Manchester General Hospital where medical staff noted a number of dirty dressing and bandages and significant abnormality in her left thigh, along with multiple bruising and marks over her body, wrist and face and severe pressure sores on her back. Basic hygiene issues were also noted.

Medical staff were not satisfied with the explanations Walsh provided for his mother’s condition and contacted the police.

Despite the best efforts of hospital staff, Lilian sadly died in hospital two days later, on the evening of 17 March 2019.

Walsh pleaded not guilty to two charges of ill-treating or neglecting a person who lacks capacity and a trial was fixed for 14 January 2025.

During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, on 21 January, Graham Walsh pleaded guilty to the two charges. He will be sentenced on 27 March 2025.