Former Legacy funeral director Robert Bush faces a lengthy prison sentence after changing 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.
But the case took a dramatic turn today at Hull Crown Court after an extra hearing was arranged in the case, which has attracted considerable local and national interest. The case was listed “for plea” – meaning that changes in the original not guilty pleas were anticipated.
Bush, now 48, formerly of Kirk Ella, but recently 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.
READ MORE: Legacy funeral directors case – Robert Bush pleads guilty to all charges at Hull Crown Court
He also admitted fraudulent trading and five offences of fraud by false representation to customers of Legacy Funeral Homes 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.
A pre-sentence report on Bush was ordered at the request of the defence. Defence barrister Richard Wright KC said: “I make it clear that Mr Bush understands there is only one form of sentence in this case. That will be a custodial sentence.
“The court would benefit from knowing more about his background.” Mr Wright asked for Bush to be allowed bail until the next hearing. “He knows the inevitable outcome but nevertheless has attended,” said Mr Wright.
“He hasn’t sat back and waited until trial. There has been no difficulty with bail, as I understand it. The police have his passport. He has no means of leaving the country.”
Bush was allowed conditional bail, including conditions of residence at his address and reporting to police. Mr Justice Hilliard said: “I will order a pre-sentence report but it’s on the understanding that everyone accepts that a custodial sentence is inevitable in this case.” A report would help with details of Bush’s personal circumstances.
The court hearing ended at 11.28am. Bush was asked to remain in the dock while the others in court left.
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.
There were 27 reporters in court for the latest hearing. A large number of photographers and film crews were outside the building.
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