A MAN who left his Alzheimer's Disease stricken mother alone for 12 hours a day told police he had tried his best to look after her.

On the third day of the trial Reading Crown Court heard how Gary Atkins had struggled to care for his mum Rita Atkins as her condition worsened leading up to her death.

Although doctors found deep pressure sores on the malnourished OAP, Mr Atkins insisted he and the unqualified carer he had hired had done their best to look after her.

“We did have a few hiccups towards the end, but I think we did a brilliant job,” the Bray Road resident told police following his arrest.

When asked by officers why he had left Mrs Atkins unattended from 7.30pm until the next morning, Mr Atkins said: “Nobody ever said that was wrong.”

The court was also told how the 54 year-old began visiting his mother in the grannyanex built onto his house less and less after she stopped being able to recognise him.

“I only ever went in there at 5.30pm when I got home from work,” Mr Atkins continued.

“It was a long time since she knew who I was. I couldn't really get anything out of her.”

Mr Atkins later accepted that he should have put his mum in a care home rather than have her looked after at his house. 

Standing alongside Mr Atkins with a single charge of neglecting a person without capacity was Debbie Byrne, who was paid £96 a week on top of a carer's allowance to look after Mrs Atkins.

The jury heard how Mrs Byrne, of Circuit Lane, arrived at 8am to wake up the elderly woman and prepare her for the day. She would leave her at 9am before returning several times up until 7pm to feed and look after her.

In a police interview Mrs Byrne admitted that it 'probably' wasn't okay to leave Mrs Atkins by herself for such long periods.

On Monday prosecuting lawyer Anne Evans said: “Her death is nothing to do with them and it is not related to this allegation. It's simply part of the narrative.”

Gary Atkins and Debbie Byrne both deny a single charge of wilful neglect.

The trial, before Judge John Reddihough, continues.