Legacy Funeral Directors: ‘Deplorable’ Robert Bush facing prison after guilty pleas
GUILTY: Robert Bush
By Simon Bristow and Rick Lyon, Co-Editors
Robert Bush, the former boss of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, has been told he faces an “inevitable” prison sentence after today pleading guilty to 30 offences of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body.
Bush, 48, also admitted a further charge of theft after stealing money from 12 local charities.
He had previously admitted 36 fraud offences in an earlier hearing at Hull Crown Court in October. These included deceiving the mothers of four unborn babies.
Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella and now of Otley, West Yorkshire, entered the dock of Court 4 at the same court today wearing a grey suit and waistcoat, a white shirt and a mauve tie.
A dozen family members watched from the public gallery, with many more observing the hearing on a screen at the MKM Stadium. More than 20 reporters were also in court.
Bush had previously denied the 31 charges he admitted today, but this morning his barrister, Richard Wright KC, asked for them to be put to him again.
Bush stood, and with his hands clasped in front of him, answered “guilty” in a barely audible voice as the particulars of each charge were read out. It took the clerk of the court 13 long minutes to read through the list.
There had been gasps at Bush’s denials in October, but there was only silence today as he changed his pleas to guilty.
He has now admitted all 67 charges he faced after one of the biggest and most complex investigations in Humberside Police history.
Christopher Paxton KC, prosecuting, told the court between 200 and 240 victim statements would be provided for the sentencing hearing in July, and the fraudulent trading offences involved more than 150 people.
Mr Wright asked the judge, Mr Justice Hilliard, to order the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service ahead of sentencing.
He also asked for Bush to be released on bail on the same two conditions as before.
Mr Wright added: “I make it clear that Mr Bush well understands there’s only one form of sentence in this case and that will be a custodial sentence.”
Bail was not opposed by the prosecution and was granted.
The judge ordered the pre-sentence report “on the understanding that everybody accepts a custodial sentence is inevitable in this case”.
He told Bush: “Mr Bush, you understand your bail will continue on the same conditions as before; your continued living and sleeping at the same address and to report as before.
“But you understand that if you didn't comply with those conditions that is an offence in itself.”
Bush is due to be sentenced in the week commencing July 27.
Following the hearing, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis, said: “The utter devastation and emotional harm Robert Bush has caused to hundreds of victims and families cannot be underestimated.
“They trusted he would look after those who meant the most to them, and that he would treat their loved ones with dignity, respect and in accordance with their wishes. This did not happen.
COMPLEX INVESTIGATION: The police raid on Legacy Independent Funeral Directors
“Thirty-one families believed that their loved one had been cremated, when in fact they remained on site within the Legacy premises on Hessle Road. Most had been given ashes and had been advised that their loved ones’ cremation had taken place.
“Other families, who had chosen cremations through Legacy, were left waiting for ashes that have never been provided, or were deceived by Bush and given ashes that we now know were not their loved ones.
“The distress and devastation that this has caused for those families is simply unimaginable.
“People paid Bush for funeral plans, so in the future their families didn’t have to worry about costs and arrangements for their own funerals. He betrayed this trust, leaving some victims with the uncertainty around their own funeral arrangements and without the means to pay for them.
“The damage he has caused to families across our communities is quite possibly irreparable, with so many victims who have suffered and continue to do so. Losing a family member or friend you love, and care deeply about can be one of the most traumatic experiences anyone can go through, and Robert Bush took advantage of this.
“He was trusted by people at a time they needed him most. He exploited them, taking their money without any consideration or thought given, and not delivering on his promise to provide the service and care he was paid to do.
“Whilst he has admitted his guilt and ensured families and victims will not have to go through the ordeal of a criminal trial, the harm and pain he has already inflicted can never be undone.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all my colleagues who were involved in this case, as well as the Major Crime Team, for their unwavering dedication and hard work in building a strong case against Robert Bush. Your commitment and resilience have been truly commendable, and I’m deeply grateful for the effort and care you have shown throughout this enquiry.
“The families and all those affected in this case have always remained at the heart of our investigation from the very beginning. Their understanding, support and contribution throughout the duration of the enquiry has been truly invaluable, and without them, we simply could not have achieved the outcome we have today.
“They have demonstrated extraordinary strength, resilience and courage in this case of unimaginable circumstances, and I want to offer my sincerest thanks and appreciation to them all.
“Our thoughts are with them today as it is with their loved ones, and everyone connected with the case.”
Julie Butcher, Victim Support Humberside area manager, added: “We understand the significance of today’s news for everyone affected by the Legacy funeral home incident. Victim Support continues to offer free support and advice to anyone impacted.
“As an independent charity, our services are completely confidential and we can help with a wide range of questions and support needs. Get in touch via our website or call us on 0808 28 111 36 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also visit affectedbycrime.com to find out further information."
Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Evison, said: “I know that the news today will be felt significantly right across our region, and my thoughts remain with the many people who have been affected by this incident.
“We will continue to work with partners, including our commissioned provider, Victim Support, to maintain support to people through this difficult time.”
Laura Tams, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Robert Bush has pleaded guilty to a number of charges in connection with the operation of the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors premises in Hull.
“These charges represent some of the most serious breaches of trust possible in the funeral industry. They include preventing the lawful and decent burial of bodies, defrauding families who paid for services never provided, returning wrong ashes to grieving relatives, fraudulent trading of funeral plans, and the theft of charitable donations made in memory of the deceased.
“The impact on the families and wider community has been profound. At their most vulnerable time, when seeking dignity and closure for their loved ones, these families were subjected to appalling violations of trust.
“I want to take this opportunity to share my deepest condolences to all those who have been affected. Learning that their relatives' remains had not received proper care, and that some received the wrong ashes, has caused immeasurable additional grief and trauma.
“This has been an extraordinarily complex and challenging case for our specialist prosecution team. Working closely with Humberside Police, we were able to review extensive evidence at pace to authorise these charges and build a comprehensive case that reflects the scale and severity of these offences. The defendant’s decision to enter guilty pleas today acknowledges the strength of the prosecution’s case.
“While nothing can undo the harm caused to these families, today's guilty pleas represent an important step towards justice for all those who have suffered from these deplorable actions.”
You can watch Robert Bush’s arrest on a plane at Heathrow Airport here.