A funeral director has appeared in court charged with 63 offences after a major investigation into remains found at his business premises. Robert Bush, 47, faces 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial and 31 counts of fraud by false representation relating to bodies found at the firm’s Hessle Road site in Hull in March last year. He has also been charged with one count of fraudulent trading in relation to funeral plans sold between May 2012 and March 2024, and one count of theft from charities. The charges allege that Mr Bush stole unknown sums of money between September 2017 and 6 March 2024 from a number of charities including, the Salvation Army, MacMillan Cancer Support, Dove House Hospice, Help for Heroes, the RNLI and Oakwood Dog Rescue. He appeared briefly at Hull Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning where no pleas were entered. Humberside Police launched an investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors across three premises in Hull and East Yorkshire in March last year. Bush, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, but now of Otley, West Yorkshire, was bailed before a hearing at Hull Crown Court on August 13. Bush was charged in April. Speaking after the charges were announced, Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall said: “We have updated the families of the 35 deceased with this development. “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.” He said there were 254 victims in total; 172 had been affected by fraudulent trading of funeral plans between May 23, 2012 and March 6, 2024. Fifty victims were of fraud in relation to human ashes between August 1, 2017 and March 6, 2024. Bush is also accused of one count of theft from charities between Sept., 2022 and March 2024. DCC Marshall asked people to refrain from any speculation or commenting that could jeopardise the case. He said that police wanted to allow those affected to get the answers they desperately need and rightly deserve. He added: “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. We would please ask that their privacy is continued to be respected.” Police said after the case that victim Support continues to be available for anyone affected by the incident. If you require support, you can contact them by calling 0808 28 111 36.