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Funeral director admits preventing 30 burials and theft

Pritti Mistry,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshireand
Kevin Shoesmith,at Hull Crown Court
PA Media Robert Bush is wearing a navy coat, purple tie, black face covering and cap. He is entering a Hull Crown Court through an automatic glass door while keeping his head lowered. Behind him, several photographers and camera operators stand outside in front of a red brick wall, pointing their cameras toward him.PA Media

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 relating to charitable donations.

He previously admitted presenting families with the ashes of strangers and fraudulently selling funeral plans. He will be sentenced on 27 July.

Judge Mr 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 6 March 2024.

Humberside Police Robert Bush with short, light brown hair is shown in a straight‑on mugshot photograph. He has a neutral expression and is wearing a dark jacket over a red shirt. The background is plain and grey, and a Humberside Police badge watermark appears in the upper right corner of the image.Humberside Police

In court, the clerk spent 10 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.

Bush previously admitted 35 offences of fraud by false representation and another of fraudulently running a business, relating to the sale of funeral plans.

But he had denied the 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, and one of theft relating to charitable donations. He had been due to stand trial from 5 October.


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