A PENSIONER'S bank account was used to make purchases from lingerie shop Ann Summers, pub chains and a computer games website, a court heard.

At Bolton Crown Court David Gilfillan told how his 82-year-old father's finances were controlled by his elder brother, former Westhoughton mayor James Gilfillan.

The pensioner was becoming increasingly infirm in 2011 and so James Gilfillan took responsibility for handling his Lloyds TSB Bank card and accounts.

But David Gilfillan became suspicious after his older brother moved to Howden in 2013 and refused to give him details of their dad's finances.

By this time the pensioner, who died in January this year, was living at St Catherine's care home, Horwich.

When police investigated they discovered thousands of pounds missing from Mr Gilfillan Snr's account.

A jury heard how, during the period Mr Gilfillan had control of the account, £27,625 was deposited in pension payments but only £4,370 was paid out for legitimate purposes on behalf on the pensioner.

The prosecution claim a remaining £23,254 was taken from the account, but not for the benefit of Mr Gilfillan Snr.

Giving evidence, David Gilfillan told a jury how there were purchases made from the account which his father would never had made, including payments to shops, pubs and over the internet, including to computer games website Steamgames.com.

"He would not switch a computer on let alone have one," said Mr Gilfillan.

James Gilfillan, aged 55, of The White Horse pub, Howden, denies theft, two counts of fraud and a charge of possessing a bank card for use in fraud.

He is alleged to have stolen £23,500 and used his father's personal details to obtain thousands of pounds in loans from Lloyds TSB and payday loan company Wonga.

The trial continues.