A funeral director has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of fraud – including misleading the parents of unborn babies – after a stash of human remains were found at his premises in Hull.

Robert Bush, 47, was charged this year with 64 offences, including 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial and a fraudulent trading charge in relation to the funeral plans of 172 people spanning almost 12 years to March 2024.

He was also accused of fraud in relation to the human ashes of 50 alleged victims over six and half years, as well as theft from 12 charities.

Appearing at Kingston-upon-Hull crown court on Wednesday, Bush pleaded guilty to 36 counts of fraud relating to misleading the families of the deceased. These included the parents of four unborn babies.

He pleaded not guilty to preventing a decent and lawful burial of 30 dead people, and denied stealing money from 12 charities including the Salvation Army and Help for Heroes.

Bush, who arrived at court wearing a baseball cap and a covering over his face, showed no emotion as he entered the pleas from behind a glass-enclosed dock. He stood with his hands clasped in front of him as the court clerk read the details of 67 charges against him, a process that lasted almost 30 minutes.

Bush was told by the judge, John Thackray KC, that he will go on trial in relation to those offences at Sheffield crown court on 5 October next year. The trial is expected to last eight weeks. He was released on bail.

His arrest came after a tipoff to Humberside police about care for the deceased, leading to a major investigation followed by what one senior officer called a “truly horrific” discovery in March 2024.