UK funeral director admits to misconduct
A funeral director has admitted preventing the burials of 30 bodies and stealing donations made to charities by mourners.
Robert Bush, 48, was arrested after police investigated Hull-based Legacy Independent Funeral Directors following a report of “concern for care of the deceased” in March 2024.
Bush, formerly of East Yorkshire and now living in West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, and one of theft from 12 charities including the Salvation Army and Macmillan Cancer Support.
He previously admitted presenting families with the ashes of strangers and fraudulently selling funeral plans. He will be sentenced on July 27.
Judge Justice Hilliard told the court a “custodial sentence is inevitable in this case” before releasing him on bail.
Bush was charged after a major investigation into human remains found at the premises, including four babies lost in pregnancy.
Humberside Police said all the charges dated from a period between May 2012 and March 6, 2024.
In court, the clerk spent ten minutes reading out 31 charges.
Bush – who was wearing a dark grey suit, white shirt and mauve tie – showed no emotion as he entered his pleas while standing in the glass-fronted dock.
His left hand was gripping his right, and his voice was quiet as he replied “guilty” to each charge.
About a dozen relatives of the victims were in the public gallery.
Prosecutor Chris Paxton KC told the court there would be up to 240 victim impact statements from people that had been affected by the case. These would be provided before the sentencing hearing.
“The fraudulent trading relates to funeral plans involving over 150 individuals,” he said. (BBC)
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