A 47-year-old man has been charged with dozens of counts of preventing a lawful burial in connection with the investigation into remains found at a funeral directors in Hull, Humberside police have said.
Funeral director Robert Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, has been charged with 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial and 30 counts of fraud by false representation after a number of bodies and “a quantity” of human ashes were found at his premises between 20 April 2023 and 6 March 2024.
He is also charged with two counts of theft from charities, one count of fraudulent trading in relation to funeral plans involving 172 alleged victims, and one count of fraud in relation to human ashes involving 50 alleged victims.
The force said the charges came after a “complex, protracted and highly sensitive” 10-month investigation.
The alarm was first raised on 20 April 2023 and police raided the premises in Hessle Road, Hull.
They spent weeks searching the property as relatives of those whose funerals were conducted by Legacy Independent Funeral Directors waited anxiously to know if they were affected.
One of the potential victims told the Guardian the episode had “shocked Hull”.
The Humberside police deputy chief constable, Dave Marshall, said: “We have updated the families of the 35 deceased with this development and we have made initial contact with additional victims who have been affected by the investigation and we will be personally in touch with them in the coming days.
“As the investigation now moves into the courts and judicial process, I would please ask people to refrain from any speculation or commenting that could prejudice or jeopardise the case, and to allow those affected to get the answers they desperately need and rightly deserve.
“My sincerest thanks go out to those affected for their patience and understanding. They have always been the priority and at the very heart of the entire investigation and this will remain, and we would please ask their privacy is continued to be respected.”
Bush has been bailed to appear at Hull magistrates court on Wednesday 25 June.
A 55-year-old woman arrested in July 2024 in connection with the investigation has been released with no further action.
