Christopher Phillips, 60, admitted preventing the lawful and decent burial of his mother, Silvia Phillips, 89, at the family home in Porthcawl. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud for failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions and Bridgend County Borough Council of her death.
At Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, sentenced him to two years and four months in prison.
Mother's body found in living-room freezer
The court was told Phillips had given up his job to become his mother's full-time carer in the months before her death on 8 March 2023. The cause of her death remains undetermined.
After she died, Phillips bought a chest freezer and kept her body inside it in the living-room of the home. The body was covered with a leopard print throw and was found next to roses and a birthday card that read "To Mum, from Christopher and Tina", a reference to the family dog.
£78,190.92 claimed in benefits
Over the nearly three-year period that followed her death, Phillips received £78,190.92 in benefits.
Police response
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Claire Lamerton said: "This is an extremely sad case where Phillips concealed his own mother's death and financially profited for a significant period. My thoughts are with Sylvia's loved ones during such a difficult time, and I hope they have found some peace having been able to properly lay her to rest."
