MURDER TRIAL: Former policeman John Green failed to tell nurse about his elderly mother's fall

John Green, 66, had also told his daughter medics 'could not do anything' for 88-year-old Bernadette Green - but admits he did not inform them.

It is alleged the pensioner's body was found in an emaciated and neglected state the home they shared on Inkerman Street, Plungington, on May 18 this year.

Green denies her murder and is giving evidence at his trial at Preston Crown Court.

She claims she declined rapidly in the few weeks before her death and contracted a cough after fall.

Asked about the incident he told jurors she had heard a thump and found her near the stairs.

He added: " She was sat down. She didn't look confused or distressed but because of her physical state she couldn't get up and I had to lift her up.

Prosecuting, Francis McEntee asked: "You had not mentioned any falls to district nurse. But wouldn't that be a matter of concern if your mother had fallen and then started coughing and had then taken to her bed?"

Mr McEntee said: "This very religious woman would not want the Last Rites?"

He replied: "Absolutely no way. My grandmother was given the Last Rites three times, my mother though it was a joke."

The prosecutor added: "After she passed you arranged to have her cremated without a service. No arrangements were made for a Catholic priest so despite your mum being in the world, despite knowing what her beliefs were, you didn't do anything to satisfy her beliefs."

Green said: "She finished with church 20 years ago."

Mr McEntee then asked: " You say she was at death's door. I'm going to suggest you decided you were going to help her through that door and you did so by smothering her."

Green replied: " That did not happen, I couldn't do anything like that. I walk past a spider's web with a butterfly trapped in it and I'd save the butterfly."

(proceeding)