A funeral director appeared in a Hull court charged with 63 offences spanning more than 10 years after a major investigation into human remains found at his premises.
Robert Bush, 47, faces 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial and 30 counts of fraud by false representation relating to bodies found at the firm’s Hessle Road site in Hull in March last year.
The charges date from between April 2023 and March 2024.
He has also been charged with one count of fraud by false representation in relation to human ashes between August 2017 and March 2024, and one count of fraudulent trading in relation to funeral plans between May 2012 and March 2024.
Bush is also accused of theft from 12 charities and related to unknown sums of money destined for Dove House Hospice, Working Independently Supporting Hull Hospitals (WISHH), The Salvation Army, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Cystics of Hull Independent Equipment Fund (CHIEF), which raises money for families with cystic fibrosis patients.
The list of charities in the theft charge also included The Dogs Trust, Help for Heroes, Maister Lodge, which helps people with mental health problems, Oakwood Dog Rescue, RNLI, Sailors' Children Society and Hull Fishing Heritage Charity.
Wearing a dark grey three-piece suit with a purple tie and pocket square, Bush spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the five-minute hearing at Hull Magistrates’ Court.
He sat behind his solicitor in the courtroom and was not asked to indicate any pleas as the charges and names of 30 alleged victims, some of whose families attended the hearing via video-link, were read out.
Robert Bush, 47, faces 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial
PA
Bush confirmed his name, date of birth and address before Hull Magistrates’ Court
PA
Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, but now of Otley, West Yorkshire, was told that 30 of the charges could only be dealt with at Crown Court, and his case was adjourned until August 13 at Hull Crown Court.
District Judge Daniel Curtis bailed him with conditions to attend Bridlington Police Station every day from Monday to Friday.
Bush left the court by the back entrance, wearing a baseball cap and dark glasses, with a police car driving in front of the car he was in as it left.
The 30 charges of fraud relating to named victims allege that he had dishonestly made false representations to the family or friend of each deceased person.
That is, that Bush would properly care for the remains of the deceased in accordance with the normal expected practices of a competent funeral director and arrange for the cremation of those remains to take place immediately or soon after the conclusion of the funeral service.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Robert Bush leaving court
PA
He was escorted away by police
PA
Each charge also said the fraud was alleged because the ashes presented to the customer were the remains of the deceased person after cremation, knowing that the same was, or might be, untrue or misleading, and intending thereby to make a gain for himself or cause loss to another contrary to Section 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006.
Humberside Police launched an investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors across three premises in Hull and East Yorkshire in March last year.
There have been a number of memorial services in the city, and floral tributes left at sites owned by the business company.
Victim Support continues to be available for anyone affected by the incident, and they can be contacted by calling 0808 281 1136.
Most Read
