A funeral director in Hull has pleaded guilty to 36 counts of fraud, including handing unidentified ashes to the parents of four stillborn babies, after the remains of at least 30 people were found at his premises. Robert Bush, 47, appeared at Kingston-upon-Hull Crown Court on Wednesday, where he admitted misleading bereaved families over funeral services spanning 12 years.
Bush, the director of Legacies Independent Funeral Directors, was charged with 67 offences in total. He pleaded not guilty to 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial and to stealing money from 12 charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support and the RNLI. The charges relate to incidents between 2012 and March 2024, when police raided his Hessle Road property and discovered the bodies.
Among the remains were those of an unborn baby. Bush admitted to “dishonestly making false promises” to the parents of four babies who died during childbirth, giving them ashes that were not their children's. He showed no emotion as the court clerk read the 67 charges over nearly 30 minutes.
Judge John Thackray KC set a trial for the remaining charges at Sheffield Crown Court on 5 October next year, expected to last eight weeks. Bush was released on bail and will be sentenced for the admitted offences after the trial.
Humberside Police said in a statement: “We are unable to provide any further details or information at this time to ensure judicial proceedings are not jeopardised.” They added that Victim Support is available for those affected.
