A man has been found guilty of murdering a pensioner who was found tied up at home after a burglary in November.
David Varlow was found collapsed on the living room floor of his Halesowen home on by West Midlands Police officers.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the 78-year-old could not be revived.
Adris Mohammed, 44, from Icknield Port Road, Birmingham, denied murder, manslaughter, attempted burglary, and two counts each of fraud and burglary.
Prosecutors told Birmingham Crown Court that he had broken into his home in Manor Lane a few days earlier and bound him to a chair.
It was said he stole a bank card and forced Mr Varlow to disclose the pin, before going on to withdraw £250 from the account which had a balance of £19,000.
Opening the case prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith QC said: "David Varlow lived on his own. When he died he was 78. The prosecution case is that Mohammed decided that Mr Varlow was a good person to burgle."
He told the court Mohammed tried unsuccessfully to burgle the home on October 24 but Mr Varlow dialled 999. The prosecutor stated he returned to the area the next day and failed to get in another property after claiming he had been mugged.
Mr Grieves-Smith said: "He did go back to Halesowen on November 3. On this occasion he got inside the house. Having got inside he stole a Barclays Bank card. His plan was to withdraw as much money as he could."
After telling the jury Mohammed withdrew £250 he added: "To have done that he must have known the pin and Mr Varlow must have been forced to divulge it.He did not do it of his own free will. He must have been terrified. The prosecution suggests that Mr Varlow was compelled to provide the details of his pin."
Mr Grieves-Smith continued: "The plan would only work if Mr Varlow did not alert the police. He tied him to a chair in such a way he would not be able to free himself.
"He was old and frail but he (Mohammed) did not care. Mr Varlow was left tied up in his own home. Mohammed went back to the property with Swan.
"On this occasion they stole a bank card that had expired. Mohammed would have felt confident when he returned he would not be in a position to recognise him because he would be dead. Mr Varlow died because Mohammed tied him up. His body was found there a few days later when police forced entry."
Following the pensioner's death, Mr Varlow’s family have paid their tributes to him.
We are devastated to have lost a much loved brother and uncle," they said.
"There are no words to describe the pain and grief we as a family are going through following David’s death.
“We would like to thank the police for their hard work and tenacity in which they are dealing with this case.
“We would also like to thank David’s neighbours who raised the alarm. Rest in peace David.”
Sentencing will take place on Wednesday, May 25.
