He denied 31 of the 67 charges made against him including 30 counts of preventing lawful and decent burials
Robert Bush leaving Hull Crown Court
Funeral director Robert Bush has denied 31 charges, including preventing the lawful and decent burials of dead people and one offence of theft from charities, but he has admitted 36 fraud-related offences. Bush, 47, who was involved with the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors business which was the focus of a police investigation that began in March 2024, entered pleas to 67 charges during his second appearance at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Two extra fraud charges had been added to the previous ones. He will face an eight-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court on October 5, 2026. The guilty pleas can be reported after no restrictions were placed on the publication of those details. There were no objections from the prosecution or defence.
Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella, but recently of Otley, West Yorkshire, left the court building with his solicitor, surrounded by police officers as shouts of abuse were heard from people nearby. He has been allowed conditional bail.
Bush denied 30 charges involving preventing the lawful and decent burial of dead people and he also denied one offence of theft from a series of charities. He admitted 30 offences of fraud by false representation to the families or, in one case, a friend of a deceased person.
He also admitted fraudulent trading and five offences of fraud by false representation to customers of Legacy Funeral Directors or individual people. Bush was wearing a grey suit and waistcoat, white shirt and a mauve tie. Outside the court building, he also wore a cap.
The prosecution was represented by Christopher Paxton KC and Steven Ball and Bush was represented by Richard Wright KC and Charlotte Baines.
A large number of reporters, at least 25, were in court for the hearing – ten of them in the actual courtroom and the rest in an overspill courtroom, with a video link. A large number of photographers and film crews were outside the building.
Three of the photographers were there before 8.45am, even though the hearing was not scheduled until 2.15pm.
In a statement after the hearing, Humberside Police said: “We are unable to provide any further details or information at this time to ensure judicial proceedings are not jeopardised. Further comment will be made available on conclusion of all court hearings, at which time the offences he has pleaded guilty to will also be dealt with.
“Victim Support continues to be available for anyone affected by the incident. If you require support, you can contact them by calling 0808 28 111 36.”