A HEROIN addict who drained some £40,000 from his elderly father's bank account and left him without food has been jailed.

Edmund Moore, 53, was arrested after his father John repeatedly contacted police when he fell into rent arrears.

During a safeguarding visit, a solicitor from Aldridge Brownlee became so concerned about Mr Moore's welfare that she went out to buy him food.

On Friday, Moore appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court to be sentenced for theft and fraud.

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, said Mr Moore first moved into a retirement property at Park View Court, Queens Park West Drive in 2014. His son was given lasting power of attorney to manage Mr Moore's finances.

The victim had an income of just under £1,400 per month from his pensions.

"In October 2015, a safeguarding referral was made due to a number of calls to the emergency services which had been made by the victim, Mr Moore," Ms Maylin said.

"Social services attended and Mr Moore explained he was concerned about his son. He said his son was doing as he pleased with his bank cards and he had no access to his money.

"He was well aware he was in rent arrears."

During a visit by various officials, including solicitors and social workers, it was found that Mr Moore had just a bag of rice in the cupboard.

"A solicitor who attended found the cupboards bare, and any food there was inside was out of date," Ms Maylin said.

"She had to scrape the remnants from a coffee jar and honey pot to make him a drink. She was so concerned that she herself purchased food for him."

Power of attorney was revoked on December 5 that year, and Moore was notified and told to return his father's bank cards. However, he used the cards to make two further withdrawals in December and January.

Ms Maylin said Moore spent some of the time living in his father's retirement flat, where he "intimidated" other residents. He spent the rest of the time at a property Mr Moore owned in London.

After the safeguarding visit, police searched the London property.

"It was apparent Edmund Moore had relapsed into heroin addiction. Hundreds of used syringes were found, and the house was in total disrepair and uninhabitable," Ms Maylin said.

After the offences came to light, Mr Moore was moved out of his flat and to a new property. The address was not disclosed to his son.

Mr Moore died earlier this year at the age of 90, the court heard.

Nick Robinson, mitigating, called Tessa Corner, the CEO of rehabilitation charity StreetScene, to give evidence.

She told the court she became friends with Moore when both were recovering from addictions in the 80s. The defendant has gone on to support other addicts, she said.

Mr Robinson also said Moore had been "beaten by his father" when he was growing up, but had gone on to become a full-time carer for both his father and his mother in their later years.

"He did not want me to mention this," he said.

"He has not put a basis of plea in. He has fallen on the sword of responsibility."

Moore, of West Hill Road, was sentenced to a total of 24 months in prison. He must also repay his brother the full amount taken from Mr Moore's bank account.