A COURT case had to be adjourned this morning after the defendant, a carer accused of stealing more than £75,000, collapsed.

Allan John Beacham appeared in Salisbury Crown Court to continue a trial which started on May 31.

Thomas Evans, prosecuting, and detective constable Nicholas Bishop, the officer in the case, read through the transcript of Beacham's first police interview.

This was recorded at Gable Cross Police Station on October 3, 2019, and Beacham explained how he moved from South Africa to the United Kingdom in 2016.

British-born Beacham, whose previous background was in personal training and rehabilitation, returned with the intention of working in London.

His friend recommended he go into care as he could make £2,500 per month.

Salisbury Journal: Allan John Beacham and Alan Pattillo.Allan John Beacham and Alan Pattillo. (Image: Anonymous)

The court heard that Beacham took a one-week course with Miracle Workers, a care agency, which gave him a one-month placement in Aberdeen to care for Alan Pattillo.

Beacham said the agency labelled Mr Pattillo, who suffered from stage five Parkinson's, as "the most difficult customer that they have had in all their years".

Beacham signed 86-year-old wheelchair-user Mr Pattillo up to a David Lloyd gym. In interview, he said: "The relationship developed from there. I was interested in his life. He was a personable fellow."

At the end of the month, Beacham spoke to Mr Pattillo about how he would have to find a replacement carer but no trainer would take him on because of the insurance risk.

Upon telling him this, Mr Pattillo "performed and cried", according to Beacham.

"I didn't come here to be a personal trainer. I need somewhere for us to live (him and his wife). I needed to make myself a decent living which I could make in London," said Beacham.

The court heard that Beacham did not expect to be paid the sort of salary he needed until Mr Pattillo asked him to move to Salisbury with him and agreed to buy Beacham a house.

After just over 30 minutes of reading the interview transcript, Beacham collapsed in the dock and the jury was ordered to leave.

An ambulance arrived shortly after.

The case continues.