Harrowing details of the abuse allegedly suffered by a 95-year-old widow at the hands of her family can be revealed by The Royal Gazette today.

The nephew of "Auntie Em", whose shocking story was published in this newspaper yesterday, has now disclosed the contents of an emotional letter he sent to the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged (NOSPC) last December.

The document details abuse he claims his near-blind aunt was subjected to for more than 20 years by her adopted daughter.

Disturbing footage of the filthy conditions Auntie Em lived in can be seen in a video diary filmed by the nephew at www.royalgazette.com.

Environmental health officers visited Auntie Em's cluttered, cockroach and mouse-infested home last November and declared that it should be "condemned for human habitation".

The elderly lady was rescued from the property by nurse Yvonne Dawson, who took her into her own Somerset home for five months. In February this year, the NOSPC wrote to Auntie Em's daughter to outline its concerns about suspected elder abuse.

The nephew wrote on December 12 last year: "Now that my aunt is out of the home, in a more secure and happy environment, she is talking about how she has been treated for more than 20 years, without any prompting from anyone. She has for many years been afraid to speak out about the way she was treated in her own house."

The 56-year-old nephew alleged in his letter that:

• Auntie Em was left home alone for hours as late as 11.30 p.m. "Please note that my aunt is near-blind and has been for many years," wrote the nephew.

• Auntie Em had to drink tap water declared unfit for consumption while the rest of the family drank bottled water. This newspaper has Department of Health documents supporting that claim.

• The daughter's husband banned Auntie Em from using the bath. "He said it was for his family only. Therefore my aunt was forced to wash down the best way she could."

• Auntie Em fell out of her bed and had to wait hours for help, despite calling out repeatedly.

The plight of Auntie Em dominated radio talk shows yesterday — and the nephew went on the air to support The Royal Gazette's coverage of the story and explain his own motives in speaking out.

"I have no political affiliations," he told this newspaper. "I did it for two reasons. I don't want any senior to have to go through the same and I want to make everybody aware that this does happen and to make everybody aware that it has to be addressed legislatively."

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler, who was involved in trying to help Auntie Em, said yesterday that government agencies reacted immediately when they became aware of Auntie Em's situation and "resolved the basic issue in less than a week" after a meeting of all involved was called.