Father and daughter avoid jail after neglecting Kirkby grandmother - Warning: distressing images

A father and daughter have avoided jail after being found guilty of the willful neglect of a Kirkby grandmother, found dead in her own bed.

68 year-old Catherine Purcell was found at the home she shared with her daughter Catherine in Shacklady Road in July 2016.

Liverpool Crown Court was told that Mrs Purcell died from pneumonia, dehydration and severe skin ulcers and that her daughter and estranged husband John failed to seek medical help for her.

John Purcell, 71, of Quarry Green, Kirkby, was found guilty of wilful neglect and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also ordered to do 270 hours unpaid work and given a three month curfew.

Catherine Jnr was also found guilty of wilful neglect and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years. She was ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and given a two month curfew.

Detective Inspector Kevin Plunkett said: "This was a truly horrible case and the house where Mrs Purcell died was one of the worst I, and other experienced officers, had ever seen.

"The conditions Mrs Purcell were left in were disgusting and her estranged husband and daughter failed to seek the medical attention that she so clearly needed.

"We also believe that when Mrs Purcell died her body was moved to a smaller, cleaner bedroom, when infact she died in a larger double bedroom where evidence of flies and maggots were found