The daughter of Martin Sawyers said Robert Bush’s actions were ‘nothing short of pure evil’
Martin Sawyers
On Friday, July 31 2026, Hull funeral director Robert Bush was jailed for 20 years.
The 48-year-old left bodies to decompose at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors’ premises in the city, gave bereaved families the ashes of other people and stole money donated from collections at funerals.The “horror” and revulsion felt by the families who had lost loved ones was revealed at Hull Crown Court during a series of powerful and harrowing victim statements during the first four days of the five-day sentencing hearing.
Over the coming weeks, we will be publishing those statements – from families who had cruelly been taken advantage of when they were at their most vulnerable. Their stories need to be told, and we will ensure that they are, for as long as it takes.
I, Rebecca Thompson, the daughter of Martin Sawyers, and on behalf of the family of Martin have written this impact statement to express the disgust, disappointment, and betrayal I have experienced from Legacy Funeral Directors.
No words will ever be enough to explain the torture not just ourselves but all the other families affected have been put through.At a time where we were most vulnerable, we put our trust in this monster to take care of our loved ones in their final journeys. However, to later find out that our trust was completely broken.
We’re now left reliving a nightmare all over again. Months of torment of the unknown. The anticipating wait to get our loved ones back home with us. We thought we had clarity that our loved ones were finally at peace but then for us to find out they were not alongside many others. At the expense of what? To dig himself out of financial difficulty.
I have so many questions that will likely forever remain unanswered, but my biggest question is why? Why continue taking on more funerals when you couldn’t afford to properly carry out the ones you already accepted.There is no shame in being in financial difficulty but to punish the deceased and rob them of a peaceful send off is nothing short of pure evil.
I hope this monster that has devastated so many people is severely punished for what he has done and put everybody involved through. Although nothing will ever be able to change the criminal acts he has committed we have hope that the justice system will punish him correctly and give us all some clarity that justice can and will be served.
To my dad, who was so wrongly mistreated, I hope you’ve found peace and we’re so grateful to finally have you home with us. You didn’t deserve the mistreatment you had to endure on your final journey. Rest in Peace Forever.
To Humberside Police, Eastern Cemetery and all other parties involved, from the bottom of my heart thank you. Thank you for bringing us some comfort and support during the unravelling of this nightmare.
Rebecca Thompson