This story contains details some might find distressing.
A disgraced funeral director who failed to bury or cremate people has offered an apology to bereaved relatives and accepts responsibility for his actions, his barrister has said.
Some 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes were found by police raiding Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull in March 2024.
Hull Crown Court heard owner Robert Bush ran a “shambolic and chaotic” operation at the Hessle Road premises and his “appalling” offending had caused “extreme emotional pain, anguish and upset”.
In mitigation, Bush’s barrister said the defendant did “not seek in any way to minimise what he has done”.
The former undertaker previously admitted 67 offences, including 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, and theft from 12 charities.
Richard Wright KC told the third day of the sentencing hearing on Wednesday that Bush accepted his conduct “tainted the memory of every person who has passed through his hands”.
“He submits an apology without qualification and he accepts that responsibility,” said Wright.
The barrister added that “victim after victim” had described the devastation and psychological impact of Bush’s actions.
“He has heard the human cost of what he has done,” said Wright.