A former East Yorkshire funeral director has appeared at Hull Crown Court to enter pleas to a series of charges linked to the ongoing Legacy Independent Funeral Directors investigation.
Robert Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella and now living in West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to several counts of fraud but denied multiple charges of preventing a lawful and decent burial.
Bush pleaded not guilty to 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial in relation to the recovery of deceased individuals from the Legacy premises in Hessle Road, Hull, between April 2023 and March 2024.
He also pleaded not guilty to one count of theft from charities between September 1, 2017, and March 6, 2023.
He pleaded guilty to 30 counts of fraud by false representation connected to deceased individuals who should have been cremated, with their families told that had taken place and provided with ashes, between April 2023 and March 2024.
Bush also admitted one count of fraudulent trading relating to funeral plans between May 23, 2012, and March 6, 2024; one count of fraud by false representation involving families either given ashes later found not to belong to their loved ones or receiving no ashes at all between August 2017 and March 2024; and four counts of fraud by false representation connected to ashes provided to families following pregnancy losses, one of which was later recovered from the premises.
He was bailed with conditions until his trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, October 5, 2026, for the offences to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The charges arise from a major police investigation launched in March last year after human remains were discovered at the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors premises in Hessle Road, Hull.
Victim Support continues to be available for anyone affected by the case and can be contacted on 0808 28 111 36.