Melbourne man and partner charged with failing to help elderly mother

Police are expected to claim the couple pulled the elderly woman out of her nursing home, presumably to benefit from government carer's allowance. Photo / Getty Images

A Melbourne man who allegedly bought earplugs from Bunnings to block out the sound of his elderly mother screaming at night will stand trial for failing to get her medical help.

Victoria Police will allege the 83-year-old was left to die in putrid conditions on a rotten mattress after suffering a stroke and countless seizures, covered in scabs and wearing a soiled nappy that hadn't been changed in a week.

The man and his partner, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to conduct endangering the elderly woman, whose 15-year-old granddaughter found her dead in October 2013.

Police are expected to claim the couple pulled the elderly woman out of her nursing home, presumably to benefit from government carer's allowance.

According to court documents, family members had reported the woman "skipped time" and thought it was 1958, keeping the family awake all night with her screams about someone being in her room.

The man allegedly bought earplugs from Bunnings so he could sleep through the screams, court documents say.

In a pre-trial committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, forensic pathologist David Ranson said the woman had suffered a stroke, but was unable to pinpoint when.

He said she most likely died from aspirating on food after losing the ability to swallow properly following the stroke.

Dr Ranson, who conducted the autopsy, in court documents noted insect eggs were found in the corner of one of her eyes, that she weighed only 34kg, and that a "large number" of skin sores and scabs were present on her body.

Geriatrician Joseph Ibrahim also gave evidence on Thursday, telling the court the woman had previously attended GPs on a monthly basis, a habit that fell away after 2010.

In court documents, he noted that according to family members, six months previously the woman had stopped taking epilepsy medication "because of mood swings" and had many falls.

The pair will reappear in court for a directions hearing on Friday.