Funeral director in court facing 65 charges

Robert Bush arrives at Hull Crown Court. He is wearing a dark suit and purple tie, a dark-grey baseball cap and a black fabric scarf/wrap, which covers much of his face below his eyes. In the background, is a man is holding up a camera and recording the scene.

Robert Bush ran Legacy Funeral Independent Directors in Hull

Pritti Mistry
BBC News

A man has appeared in court charged with burial offences, fraud and theft from charities after a major investigation into a funeral directors in Hull, in which police removed 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes.

Humberside Police began its inquiry into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors following a report of "concern for care of the deceased" in March 2024.

During a brief hearing at Hull Crown Court, funeral director Robert Bush, 47, who faces 65 charges in total, did not enter any pleas.

Judge John Thackray KC adjourned his plea and trial preparation hearing until 15 October and released him on bail.

In April, Mr Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, but now of Otley, West Yorkshire, was charged with 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, and 30 counts of fraud by false representation relating to proper care of remains and return of ashes.

He is also charged with two counts of fraud by false representation, one count each of fraudulent trading in relation to funeral plans, fraud by false representation in relation to lack of care of remains, and theft relating to money stolen from donations to charities.

Robert Bush wears a dark grey suit, dark-grey cap and black scarf, which is wrapped around much of his face below his eyes. He is walking on a street accompanied by three police officers in high-visibility vests and black uniforms. Behind them is an old red-brick and stone building, with other buildings and a monument visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Mr Bush leaving court following the 15-minute hearing

Humberside Police said all the charges dated from a period between May 2012 and 6 March 2024.

During the 15-minute hearing, Mr Bush, wearing a grey three-piece suit, sat in the glass-fronted dock next to a security officer.

He stood up and spoke only to confirm his name and personal details.

Legacy Independent Funeral Directors had two sites in Hull and a third in Beverley.

Mr Bush was charged in April after Humberside Police described a "complex, protracted and highly sensitive 10-month investigation".

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