Funeral director in court facing 63 charges

Robert Bush did not enter any pleas during his brief court appearance

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 last year.

During a brief hearing at Hull Magistrates' Court, funeral director Robert Bush, 47, did not enter any pleas.

Mr Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, but now of Otley, West Yorkshire, faces 63 charges in total and was released on bail and will have another hearing at Hull Crown Court on 13 August.

Robert Bush leaving his hearing at Hull Magistrates' Court

In April, Mr Bush was charged with 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, 30 counts of fraud by false representation and one count of theft from charities.

He is additionally charged with one count of fraud involving human ashes, which is alleged to involve 50 victims, and another charge of fraudulent trading involving the selling of funeral plans with 172 alleged victims.

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

The charges allege that Mr Bush stole unknown sums of money between September 2017 and 6 March 2024 from a number of charities including, the Salvation Army, MacMillan Cancer Support, Dove House Hospice, Help for Heroes, the RNLI and Oakwood Dog Rescue.

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