Families and demonstrators have gathered outside Hull Crown Court as Bush’s sentencing begins after he admitted 67 charges
Former funeral director Robert Bush arrives at Hull Crown Court for sentencing after admitting 67 charges in relation to his business, Legacy Independent Funeral Directors(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)
Large numbers of people, including camera crews, reporters, police officers and members of the public, were already at Hull Crown Court early this morning for the start of the Robert Bush sentencing case – some of them from at least 7.45am. The doors to the court were not officially opened until 9am but, by then, there were people standing on the steps, close to the door, and in the nearby forecourt area.
Police vans were seen in Alfred Gelder Street and reporters were already forming a huddle around the door. A list of names, the organisations they represented and their time of arrival was being kept on a written list.
Only four places for the press were allocated for the courtroom, in contrast to the large number that were there at the most recent hearing, when reporters took up the press bench and most of the public gallery. This time, other reporters had to go to an overspill court at Hull Magistrates’ Court.
Some news organisations, notably TV, were doubly represented, in anticipation of a shift system for being in court and then leaving to work on update reports while a colleague took their place. Other reporters covered the case remotely via a live video link of the proceedings.
Soon after the court doors opened, the people who were let in, including members of bereaved families, immediately went upstairs and started gathering in large numbers outside the courtroom. Some seemed to be holding printed sheets of paper thought to contain victim impact statements.
Police officers were also outside the courtroom. Four in uniform, with hi-viz jackets, were on the court concourse by 9.30am. The case was listed for sentence at 10.30am.
Bush arrived at court at about 9.53am. He was, as usual, wearing a cap and a black mask. He was asked by reporters if he was sorry and he replied: “Yes, I’m sorry.” He said that he had written a letter to the court, saying sorry to the families.
In April, Bush changed his pleas to guilty on 31 charges, including 30 of preventing the lawful and decent burials of dead people and one offence of theft from charities.
Bush originally denied the offences and a trial was due to be held in October. He had already admitted 36 fraud-related offences.
Bush, 48, formerly of Kirk Ella, but later of East Busk Lane, Otley, West Yorkshire, was involved with the running of the Legacy funeral homes.
He originally entered pleas to 67 charges during his second appearance at Hull Crown Court last year. Two extra fraud charges had been added to the previous ones.
Bush had, at the earlier hearing, 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 Independent Funeral Directors or individual people. But at the latest hearing, Bush changed his pleas to guilty on the matters which he had originally denied.
The 30 charges involving preventing the lawful and decent burial of dead people and the one offence of theft were put to him again. He entered guilty pleas to them all.
Bush has previously been allowed bail, including conditions of residence at his address and reporting to police.
The sentencing hearing, listed for up to five days, is being heard before High Court judge Mr Justice Hilliard.
When an eight-week trial was originally fixed in the case for October 5 this year, it was due to take place at Sheffield Crown Court. But it emerged in January this year that the trial was being moved back to Hull Crown Court after it was decided that the case could, after all, now be accommodated at the Hull court.
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