Jailed funeral director Robert Bush, 48, has filed an application for leave to appeal against his sentence, prompting anger and distress among the families of his victims.
Bush, the former boss of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, was jailed for more than 20 years in July after pleading guilty to 67 criminal offences committed over 12 years. His crimes included the prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud, fraudulent trading and theft.
Police broke the news of the appeal to families on Wednesday, leaving many in tears. Bush, from Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, kept a stillborn baby for almost two years after the family believed they had held his funeral. He also gave bereaved families the wrong ashes and left the bodies of 35 people, including a stillborn baby, decomposing at his funeral business.
Families React With Anger and Grief
Campaigner Karen Dry, who has been supporting the families, said: "What a monster. I'm shocked and dismayed he is appealing. We said at sentencing no length of time would be long enough and here he is appealing a 20 year sentence. That man has no shame."
Dry added: "Families have been in tears. They are shaken by this news being and put through agony again. It prolongs the anguish for these families who deserve finality, dignity and some peace."
Dry, who said she will never know if she has her parents' ashes after using Legacy, said: "He's so selfish, it brings it all back again. We are still pushing for legislation being introduced to the funeral sector, discussions are ongoing and our petition is still running. Please can the public sign this to send a message to Bush."
Victim's Family Says Bush Is 'Twisting the Knife'
Nigel Hotham, a retired police officer with 26 years of service, whose uncle died in 2023 and had to be identified by his hearing aid's serial number, said: "I think he is despicable, he should take his punishment and consider himself lucky, he should be serving the full 20 years. For good behaviour he could be out in seven years and I would be devastated."
Hotham added: "I can feel myself welling up now, it's all raw for us again. It feels like he is sticking the knife in again and twisting it. He should fall on his sword and he hasn't. He's still putting the families through trauma. He continues to make us relive the whole ordeal."
The 56-year-old, from Hull, said: "The families are devastated and angry about this. Without a doubt this is causing more anguish and pain to people who are already suffering and who had been trying to rebuild their lives. Now it feels like we are back to square one again because in a way it feels like he's calling the shots."
Appeal to Be Considered by Courts
Humberside Police said: "We have been notified by the Criminal Appeal Office at the Royal Courts of Justice that Robert Bush has filed an application for leave to appeal against his sentence. The appeal will be considered through the appropriate legal process and any decision regarding the appeal will be a matter for the courts."
Campaigners say legislation needs to be introduced urgently to prevent any funeral director malpractice, including the hoarding of the deceased, degrading storage of the deceased including ashes, and preventing the lawful burial of the deceased.
