A Hull funeral director has been jailed for 20 years after leaving dozens of bodies to decompose in his mortuary and giving bereaved families the wrong ashes. Robert Bush, 48, owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Services, pleaded guilty to 67 offences spanning 12 years, affecting hundreds of families.
The charges included 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial. During a five-day sentencing hearing at Hull Crown Court, more than 80 victims shared their distress upon discovering their loved ones had been left to rot.
One case involved baby Sunny Beverley-Conlin, stillborn at 18 weeks, whose parents believed he had been cremated. His remains were found at Legacy almost two years later. Police officers discovered over 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes during a search of the Legacy premises in March 2024.
The court heard that bodies were found uncovered and decomposing, with damp and mould affecting coffins and ash boxes. Dried body fluids and faeces were also present on the floor. Dr Richard Lloyd, a human anatomy centre manager, stated that the premises did not meet industry standards and represented a "wholly inadequate approach to care for the deceased."
Bush also stole money from funeral services intended for 12 charities and sold false funeral plans to 226 people, totalling £562,117. He spent over £42,000 on holidays, £21,000 on motorcycle racing, and £17,400 on home improvements between 2017 and 2024.