THE daughter of an elderly and vulnerable man who was left to live in "abject squalor and filth" today told a court that she had concerns "within a few months" about her father's care at his new home.

Edward Hinnells, then 79, was found living in conditions his daughter Linda Cunningham described as "disgusting".

She told a jury that she noticed his room and general care soon after he was moved to Highdell Care Home in Idle, Bradford, in February 2013.

Mrs Cunningham also said she had contacted social services about the care her father was receiving at the home.

Eight care workers - including manager Stephen Pelkowski, 51, of Lodge Hill, Addingham - have been charged with wilful neglect towards the pensioner who suffered from dementia and exhibited "challenging" behaviour.

Describing the time when she went to view Highdell Care Home after social services had placed her father there, Mrs Cunningham said she raised concerns about whether the home would be able to cope.

She said: "I asked the manager of the home if he felt they would be able to cope with my dad.

"I stressed how difficult my dad could be."

Mrs Cunningham went to visit her dad every Wednesday and described the condition of his room.

She said: "The cleanliness of his room was disgusting. It got worse as time went on.

"My feet used to stick to the floor. There were faeces on both chairs in his room.

"On the walls there was mucky marks all over, especially near his bed.

"At first the bed was made but then I would go and there was nothing on it - no sheets or bedding.

"His skin and hands and face hadn't been washed.

"Within a few months of him being there I noticed this."

Mrs Cunningham said she had asked adult social services to make an unannounced visit to see her father at Highdell when his care and the conditions he was living in did not improve.

Mrs Cunningham said: "I did think things would improve because I don't disagree that my dad can be difficult.

"I thought eventually the staff would understand his ways and he would get used to them.

"In September 2013, I asked adult social services to make an unannounced visit."

Mrs Cunningham also revealed that she had spoken to Pelkowski and the senior care assistant, Phillippa Robinson, about her father having a catheter fitted because he was incontinent.

Mrs Cunningham said: "The staff told me my dad wouldn't let them change his clothes but there was an order in place for them to use an amount of restraint."

She also explained that in December 2013, her father made an allegation - that wasn't pursued - that he had been assaulted and shortly after this allegation he was given 14 days' notice to find another home.

All eight defendants have been accused of wilful neglect of a person who lacks capacity between between February and December 2013.

They all deny the charge.

The defendants are Stephen Pelkowski, 51, the manager, of Lodge Hill, Addingham; Jennifer Cross, 60, a senior care assistant, of The Green, Idle; Phillippa Robinson, 57, a senior nurse and registered mental health nurse, of Hall Royd, Shipley; Nicki Kassama, 30, a carer, of Wrose Mount, Wrose, Shipley; Valerie James, 58, a senior carer, of Stonegate Road, Eccleshill, Bradford; Desmond Crowley, 59, a staff nurse and registered mental health nurse, of Hazelhurst Brow, Daisy Hill, Bradford; Gerard McDermott, 58, a registered mental health nurse, of Maria Street, Ilkley; and Piotr Czajkowski, 49, a cleaner, of Ravenscliffe Avenue, Ravenscliffe, Bradford

The trial continues.