A man who kept his dead mother in a freezer for nearly three years while claiming £78,000 of her benefits has been jailed.
Christopher Phillips, 60, stored Silvia Phillips, 89, in a chest freezer in the living room of their home in Porthcawl, Wales, concealing her death from professionals.
Guilty Pleas and Sentence
Phillips previously admitted preventing the lawful and decent burial of his mother and pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud for failing to inform the Department for Work and Pensions and Bridgend County Borough Council of her death.
He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Lloyd-Clarke said: 'You continued to collect her prescriptions and misled medical professionals about her whereabouts, lying when enquiries were made about your mother, repeatedly telling medical staff that she did not wish to attend appointments or undergo tests.'
'Your mother's pension and benefits continued to be paid into her bank accounts which you were able to access.'
The judge added: 'Although your mother suffered the indignity of being stored in a chest freezer for three years, there were no other indignities following her death.'
'Your offending is aggravated by the length of time over which you concealed your mother's death and because you had the financial advantage of continuing to receive her pension and benefits.'
Discovery of the Body
Phillips had left work to become a full-time carer for his mother in the months before her death on March 8, 2023. After her death, the cause of which is not known, he bought the freezer and placed her body in it.
Her body was found by police after concerns for her welfare were raised by her medical practice. It was covered in a leopard print throw and found alongside roses and a birthday card reading 'To Mum, from Christopher and Tina', a reference to the family dog.
Phillips was adopted by his mother and was 'exceptionally close' to her, the court heard.
Defence Statement
Defence lawyer Ruth Smith said the pair had lived together for 50 years and Phillips had been the primary carer for his mother since 2008. She said Phillips told police: 'I basically didn't want to let her go.'
She added: 'He described talking to her as if she was still alive… Sitting next to her, talking to her about television programmes, Coronation Street, the horse racing, just as they always did.'
'Mr Phillips was a vulnerable individual with a vulnerable mental health situation at the time of his mother's death.'
