An Australian man who failed to get medical help for his mother who lay dying after falling out of bed has been jailed. ABC News reports that Wilhelmina Pierce died in March 2011 after spending four days on the floor of a cluttered caravan in the city of Geraldton.

Her 26-year-old son Corey has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter last month.

Prosecutors said while he did not intend to kill his mother, his failure to seek proper medical attention attributed to her death.

It is believed Ms. Pierce suffered from arthritis, asthma, low blood pressure, dermatitis, swelling of the leg and ankle, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The court heard she was taken to hospital in January 2011 with pain in her legs and arms, decreased mobility, vomiting, diarrhoea and was not eating properly.

She was diagnosed with severe dehydration but it was not life-threatening and she insisted on leaving the hospital.

The court heard in her last four days, she ate half an apple, two spoonfuls of baby food and a bit of sausage.