Prosecutors are initiating efforts to recover assets from Robert Bush, a funeral director recently sentenced to 20 years in prison for defrauding families and mishandling deceased individuals. Maya Tams of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described the case as "shocking" with "really serious breaches of trust," noting that investigators compiled over 13,000 pages of evidence. The investigation revealed that families had been misled by Bush since 2012.
Deception and Misappropriation
Beyond the failure to cremate bodies entrusted to his care, investigators uncovered broader fraudulent activities. Bush was found to be illegally trading in funeral plans without authorization, affecting more than 200 individuals. These clients believed their money was being invested with financial institutions for future funeral arrangements, but it was instead kept by Bush for his personal use.
The CPS stated its primary objective throughout the investigation was to build a "robust" case that fully demonstrated the extent of Bush's misconduct, ensuring that affected families could achieve justice.
Bush, who previously lived in an affluent area of the East Riding of Yorkshire before moving to Otley, West Yorkshire, under bail conditions, was known to enjoy motorcycle racing. He was apprehended at Heathrow Airport upon returning from a holiday in the United States.