A Taranaki couple have been sentenced to nearly three years imprisonment for a horrendous case of neglect towards elderly woman.
Terrance and Erica Heppell both in their sixties were found guilty of the ill-treatment and neglect of an adult for their mistreatment of Terrance's mother Beatrice.
Beatrice Heppell was found by ambulance staff in what is described as an appalling state, in 2014.
Mrs Heppell who is in her nineties was found surrounded by human and cat faeces, she had several bed sores, mould under her breasts and open wounds that were leaking fluids.
At the couple's sentencing Judge Chris Sygrove said Beatrice was at the mercy of the couple and was utterly unable to care for herself.
