THE director has pleaded guilty to fraud charges relating human remains – including four unborn babies.
A huge probe was launched into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in after a report of “concern for care of the deceased”.
Robert Bush pleaded guilty to fraud relating to human remains
Police recovered human ashes and found 35 bodies that had been ‘left to rot’Credit: PA
Robert Bush, 47, was charged with 66 offences in total – including 30 counts of preventing an unlawful and decent burial.
He appeared at Hull Crown today where he admitted 35 counts of false representation and one of fraudulent trading in relation to funeral plans.
Most of these relate to the proper care of remains and the return of ashes.
Among these are four “foetus allegations”, which state he presented ashes to a customer falsely saying that they were “the remains of their unborn”.
Bush pleaded not guilty to 30 counts of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body, and one count of theft from 12 charities.
This relates to bodies recovered from the premises between April 23, 2023, and March 6, 2024.
He is due to go on trial for those offences at Sheffield Crown Court in October next year.
Most of the fraud by false representation charges said that he dishonestly made false representations to bereaved families saying he would properly care for the remains of the deceased in accordance with the normal expected practices of a competent funeral director.
The charges also state he would arrange for the cremation of those remains to take place immediately or soon after the conclusion of the funeral service and that the ashes presented to the customer were the remains of the deceased person after cremation.
Humberside previously said the charges came after a “complex, protracted and highly sensitive” 10-month investigation.
A month after the probe was launched in March last year, officers received more than 2,000 calls from families concerned about their loved ones’ ashes.
The force confirmed it was impossible to identify any of the human ashes using profiles.
Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall confirmed there were 254 victims in total, of which 172 had been affected by fraudulent trading of funeral plans between May 23, 2012, and March 6, 2024.
He said: “We have updated the families of the 35 deceased with this development and we have made initial contact with additional victims who have been affected by the investigation and we will be personally in touch with them in the coming days.
“As the investigation now moves into the courts and judicial process, I would please ask people to refrain from any speculation or commenting that could prejudice or jeopardise the case, and to allow those affected to get the answers they desperately need and rightly deserve.
“My sincerest thanks go out to those affected for their patience and understanding.
“They have always been the priority and at the very heart of the entire investigation and this will remain, and we would please ask their privacy is continued to be respected.”
A 55-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of money laundering was released with no further action.
Bush – pictured at court today – denied some alleged offencesCredit: PA 
