“Extreme hoarders” father and son left one woman to die in filth and misery where they weighed fourth place

Ralph Burdett, 93, and his son Philip, 59, have been convicted in the death of Julie Burdett, 61, who weighed four stone 10 pounds by the time paramedics finally got to them

An “extreme” hoarder who let his immobile daughter die “surrounded by dirt” without seeking help for her injuries has been convicted of allowing her to die.

Ralph Burdett, 93, was unanimously acquitted of manslaughter of his daughter Julie Burdett, 61, but found guilty of the lesser offense by a jury at Leicester Crown Court.

Her brother Philip, 59, was found guilty of grossly negligent manslaughter.

Prosecutors claimed the defendants, who were described in court as “extreme” hoarders, left Julie with “terrible” injuries “surrounded by dirt and filth” for about two weeks in January 2019 before she died of extreme ulcers.

Julie had developed an illness similar to multiple sclerosis in 1998, which required her to use a wheelchair to get out of the house.

Prosecutor Timothy Cray QC told the jury at the start of the trial: “Some of the evidence is shocking, at least at the outset, and I fear it may cause you disgust and even disgust.

“The nursing errors were fundamental. They didn’t move Julie, they didn’t clean her, they didn’t feed her properly, and they didn’t call medical or other help.

“Ultimately, the result of her neglect was that Julie died.

“I am afraid she died of horrible injuries and surrounded by filth and misery in the home she shared with the defendants, her own father and brother.

“On the face of it, Julie could have been saved by something as simple as calling one of the medical professionals who have cared for her for years, or neighbors who were willing to help and say Julie means business decline and that they struggled with it.”

The jury heard Julie weighed just 4.10 pounds when paramedics were finally called to her Leicester home.

Ralph Burdett told the trial he had no idea his daughter was dying and did not seek outside help because he “did not want to act against her will”.

The defendants, from Oakside Crescent, Leicester, have been granted bail pending a sentencing hearing at a date to be determined.

Mr Justice Pepperal added: “All options remain available to the court.

“You were both on unconditional bail throughout the proceedings and as such I will extend your bail pending this hearing.”