Robert Bush pleaded guilty to 67 offences after officers removed 35 bodies and a large quantity of cremains in Hull

A "monster" funeral director who handed dozens of grieving families the wrong ashes – including four mothers who lost stillborn babies – has been jailed for 20 years following a five-day sentencing.

Robert Bush, 48, pleaded guilty to 67 offences after police officers removed 35 bodies and a large quantity of cremains from Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull in 2024.

His offences span across a period of 12 years, where he breached his customers' trust "on an almost industrial scale" and "in a myriad of ways", Mr Justice Hilliard said during the sentencing.

Around 80 victims and their family members attended Hull Crown Court today to watch the sentencing.

Another 150 watched the proceedings from a separate location organised by Humberside Police.

Delivering his sentencing remarks, the judge said: "No sentence I pass can put right the harm the defendant has done."

The judge continued to say Bush was "so pre-occupied with his own enrichment that he behaved in a shocking and disgraceful way towards the deceased entrusted to his care, and his behaviour towards their living relatives was characterised by dishonesty, deception and heartlessness”.

He said: "If he could re-use a coffin someone had already paid for, he would do so.

"If it was cheaper to keep someone in non-refrigerated conditions, he would do that too.

The judge said Bush would serve his sentence before being released on parole.

He has also been disqualified from practicing as a funeral director for 14 years.

Jackie Groizard, who believes she was given the wrong by ashes for her mother-in-law Carol, said after the sentencing: "It’s not long enough.

Joanne Moody, whose father, Peter Moody, was among the bodies found at Legacy funeral home, echoed Ms Groizard's feelings, calling the sentencing "a joke".

"There’s no justice for any of us, we’re all still going to be kicking around when he gets out. We’re not going to get closure.”

The case has been described as the largest and most complex investigation in Humberside Police's history by the force's Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis.

He said outside Hull Crown Court: "We seized just short of 3,000 exhibits, 12,000 items of disclosure, 800 witness statements were taken and over 300 victims affected, but in reality it is impossible to know how many people have truly been affected by this case.

"You cannot go into Hull city centre without bumping into or knowing someone who has been impacted in some way."

Humberside Police Assistant Chief Constable Andy Walker thanked the families affected by Robert Bush’s offending for their patience while the investigation was carried out.

He said: "I offer my sincere thanks to everybody involved: families – for their patience and understanding as we progressed the case; Humberside Police officers and staff for their dedication and determination to ensure Robert Bush was held to account; and our partners here in Hull and the East Riding who have been crucial in providing support and care to those involved."

Bush pleading guilty to the following charges: 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial of a body; 30 counts of fraud by false representation in relation to those bodies; four counts of fraud by false representation for foetus’ described as "unborn"; one fraudulent trading for the funeral plans; one fraud by false representation for the ashes; and one count of theft of money that was to be paid to the charities.