A care home owner who ill-treated a senile old man "should never be allowed near old people again," the victim's son said.

Retired bank manager Roger Taylor, 60, spoke out after a jury convicted Souren Ramdoo, 53, of neglecting and ill-treating his father Alec, 89, at Oathurst House residential home in Bampton, near Witney.

Last night, the county council's director of social services, Mary Robertson, said they would review the future of the home. A senior police officer also demanded changes in the law. An inquiry began after Mr Taylor's father died in Witney Community Hospital last summer. His body was covered in sores and Mr Ramdoo had gouged dead flesh from the old man's wounds with a pair of scissors because he feared he would lose cash if he referred the pensioner to hospital.

Mr Taylor, of The Springs, Witney, said: "This man was recommended to us by social services. The home was registered by them. We put our trust in Mr Ramdoo. He owed a duty of care to my father. No-one deserves to be treated like that, definitely not my father. He spent his life helping other people. I am delighted by the verdict." Northampton Crown Court heard how father-of-two Ramdoo, of Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell, ran the home with his wife.

Alec Taylor, who lived in The Springs, Witney, was admitted to Oathurst in 1996 and after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, became bedridden.

By January last year, Mr Taylor had developed painful pressure sores.

But instead of alerting the district nurse or doctor, Ramdoo treated them himself. It left Mr Taylor in agony, the court heard. John Denniss, prosecuting, said: "Mr Taylor was clearly in a great deal of pain."

A member of staff tipped off social services. When the inquiry started, the county council issued a legal notice requiring improvements at the home.

Mrs Robertson said: "In light of today's conviction the council will be taking further enforcement action and reviewing the future of the home.

She said Ramdoo was still the registered owner.

Mr Taylor was admitted to Witney hospital on July 16 last year. He died eight days later from pneumonia, unrelated to his treatment at the home. Ramdoo denied ill-treatment. He also denied neglect, but was convicted on both counts.

Ramdoo's barrister, Philip Shears QC, said his client now faced ruin. Sentencing was adjourned by the judge, Recorder Charles Wide, for reports. Ramdoo was granted conditional bail.

After the case, Det Insp John Meredith, said: "We were only able to bring this case under the Mental Health Act as Mr Taylor was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. If people are just elderly and frail there is nothing available at the moment for criminal cases."

Story date: Thursday 04 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.