No sentence long enough for jailed funeral director Robert Bush, say families

ByDavid McKenna

East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

This story contains details some might find distressing.

Families of victims of a disgraced funeral boss who failed to bury or cremate people say they feel "really, really let down" and no sentence "could ever be enough".

Thirty-five 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 had caused "extreme emotional pain, anguish and upset".

Bush was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but could be eligible for release after serving about half. He previously admitted 67 offences, including 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, and theft from 12 charities.

Karen Dry, who organised monthly vigils for the victims' families when the investigation began, said: "No sentence was ever going to be enough."

She said families were hoping Bush would be sentenced to more than 30 years, but what was "really messing with people's heads" was the prospect of him only serving half of his sentence.

When asked does it feel fair? She replied: "No, it really doesn't.

"For some people, I totally get that today is the end of it for them.

"But I'm my mam and dad's daughter, and we are a bit more determined than just letting these things lie."

She said without regulation of the industry, "in five or 10 years' time there will be another funeral director with another 300 families in a courtroom somewhere".

"We've got to put a stop to it and it's got to stop now."

During the sentencing hearing, Jasmine Beverley told Hull Crown Court that learning her baby Sunny-Beverley Conlin was discovered in a brown paper bag on the floor of the funeral parlour "will stay with me for the rest of my life".

Sunny's remains were recovered from the Hessle Road premises a year and 10 months after he was stillborn on 13 May 2022, the court heard.

Addressing Bush through tears, she told him: "I trusted you with the most precious person in my life."

Speaking at the conclusion of the case, Beverley said she felt relieved "that somebody in such a powerful position would recognise that my loss actually meant something".

Asked how she felt about Bush, she added: "I have no feelings towards that person."

Michaela Baldwin's stepfather, Danny Middleton, was in his 70s when he died in November 2023.

The family was told his body was one of the 35 found at Legacy's premises.

They were given ashes by Bush who claimed they were those of their loved one.

Speaking outside court about the sentencing, Baldwin said: "It's still not enough - it really isn't.

"It's less than one year for each person - which is really upsetting," she said.

"It's hard to put it into words."

On Monday, as he arrived at court, Bush told reporters he was sorry for his crimes.

However, Baldwin said: "It doesn't mean anything. He wanted the luxury lifestyle and, unfortunately, it came at the expense of all of us lot.

Asked whether she believed justice had been served, she said "yes and no".

"He is behind bars - but just not for long enough."

The body of Peter Moody, 65, was one of the 35 found by police at Legacy in March 2024.

Speaking outside court, his daughter Joanne Moody, said she felt "really really let down".

"That doesn't even come close to it," she said.

"I think he should have got 20 years for every one of them he left in that place.

"Don't get me wrong, I know he did a lot of bad things to the charities as well, but he was my dad."

Commenting on the possibility of Bush being released after serving half of his sentence, she added: "How is that in any way shape or form right?"

She said Bush took "the last bit of dignity we had of our parents and loved ones" and "destroyed it".

Nigel Hotham, representing his uncle, Mark Hotham, who was also among the bodies recovered from Legacy, said it had been a long time coming to get to this stage.

"It's been very traumatic for us as a family," he said.

"Lots of ups and downs throughout the court process, but now we are finally at a stage where we can have some sort of closure.

He said he believed 20 years was a "decent sentence", adding: "We will be allowed to grieve now."

However, Hotham said he had joined with the families of other victims to call for changes to legislation in the funeral industry and to ask for a public inquiry.

"We believe it is so serious this can never happen again to any other families," he added.

Ron Marsh said he had contacted Legacy Independent Funeral Directors when his mother Joyce Moulton died in September 2023, aged 98.

He said Bush was professional and the service he organised was "excellent", but the family never received her ashes, with attempts to contact Legacy going unanswered.

In March 2024, he was visited at his Surrey home by police family liaison officers who told him his mother's body had been found during a raid at Legacy's premises in Hull.

"I was gobsmacked. It was just not anything I ever thought happened, would happen, and certainly not happen to my mum.

"I couldn't comprehend something like that happening," he said.

"Because there is no legislation with regard to funeral directors, and therefore, there's no checking to see that once a funeral service has been had, if it's not at the crematorium or at the church, that body has actually been either cremated or buried.

"So it still gets to me and I think it will for the rest of my life," he added.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, The Department for Health and Social Care said in a statement it would "drive forward" work alongside the Ministry of Justice and Law Commission to "crack down on rogue operators in the funeral sector".

The government said this would include "developing a range of detailed proposals to drive up standards, including regulation of the funeral sector".