Christopher Phillips has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison for keeping his mother's body in a chest freezer for nearly three years and collecting her benefits.
Phillips, 60, was arrested in February at his home in Porthcawl, Bridgend county, after officers discovered the body of his mother, Sylvia Phillips, 89. She had died in March 2023. Officers were conducting a welfare check requested by her GP after repeated attempts to contact her were denied by her son.
According to court proceedings, Phillips told doctors he did not want to let his mother go and wanted more time with her after her death. Two days after Sylvia Phillips died, her son purchased a chest freezer from AO.com and placed it in the dining room. Her body remained in the freezer, wrapped in a leopard print silk blanket with roses and a birthday card signed "To Mum, from Christopher and Tina" from the family dog.
Phillips pleaded guilty to three offenses, including failing to lawfully and decently bury his mother and continuing to claim her pension and benefits. These benefits included housing support and winter fuel allowances. Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that the day after her death, Phillips held his mother and told her he would look after her. She remained in the freezer until her discovery by police.