A former funeral director has pleaded guilty to 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial over bodies found at his business in 2024 and for stealing mourners’ donations.
Robert Bush, 48, has admitted guilt at Hull Crown Court after the funeral director gave grieving families the wrong ashes whilst bodies of their loved ones’ were left at the business for months.
The 48-year-old living in West Yorkshire also admitted to one charge of theft from 12 charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support and the Salvation Army.
Police found 35 bodies and over 100 sets of ashes when they conducted a raid of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors’ in Hull in March 2024.
This is the latest development in the case, as the funeral director had previously admitted to giving families ashes of strangers and selling fraudulent burial plans.
Bush stood in the dock as the clerk spent 10 minutes reading out 31 charges.
The funeral director reportedly clasped his hands in front of him as he said “guilty” to each charge in a quiet voice.
Families of those that had died and been handled by Bush’s business, were in the packed court room and comforted one another as the names of their loved ones were read out by the clerk.
Funeral director Robert Bush arrived at Hull Crown Court, Kingston-upon-Hull, to face charges after human remains were found at his premises
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PAAside entering his pleas, Bush only spoke to confirm his name.
Prosecutor Chris Paxton KC said there would be roughly 240 victim impact statements given before Bush’s sentencing, hearing from those who had been affected by the crimes.
He said: “The fraudulent trading count relates to funeral plans involves over 150 individuals.”
Bush’s representation, Richard Wright KC, said: “He well understands that there is only one form of sentence in this case, and that will be a custodial sentence.”
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Robert Bush, 48, was arrested in March 2024
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HUMBERSIDE POLICE
