Warning: this case involves distressing details
Former funeral director Robert Bush is set to be sentenced on Friday following a week of hearings
Victims have told the court how they initially believed Bush, 48, was a "lovely" man - but now consider him to be a "con man and is so good at it"
"Conning", "robbed" and "cheated" are other words we're hearing frequently this morning, our reporter says from court
On Wednesday, Bush's barrister said "greed and incompetence" likely played a role in Bush's failure to bury and cremate dozens of people
Bush is being sentenced for 67 offences, including denying 30 people a decent and proper burial, and fraud charges relating to presenting families with the ashes of strangers
An expert who analysed ashes that should have belonged to a baby said some appeared to come from an adult - the infant's mother described Bush's actions "as lowest of the low"
Jack Grey
Live reporter
We're pausing our live coverage for now.
Court is set to resume at midday on Friday, where Robert Bush will be sentenced for 67 offences, including preventing the burials of 30 people.
Until then, you can read more in our full online article.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Robert Bush was back in Hull Crown Court today for the fourth day of his sentencing hearing.
The former funeral director has pleaded guilty to 67 offences, including preventing the burials of 30 people and admitting to giving families the wrong ashes.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of fraudulently running a business. This related to the sale of funeral plans with 172 victims relating to this count alone.
With the court now adjourned until midday tomorrow, here's a reminder of some of the detail we've heard today.
Jack Grey
Live reporter
Bush is due to be sentenced on Friday for 67 offences, including denying 30 people a decent and proper burial - of which the maximum sentence for each offence is life in prison.
Other offences include fraud charges relating to presenting families with the ashes of strangers.
Earlier in the hearing, the prosecution laid out what they believe are aggravating factors, which include abuse of power, sophisticated planning, fraudulent activity over a sustained period of time and the large number of victims.
When deciding on a sentence, a judge will consider both aggravating and mitigating factors that may increase or reduce the sentence handed out.
Judge Mr Justice Hilliard will also consider other factors, such as Bush's guilty pleas, his age and criminal record.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The court has now risen for the day.
Judge Mr Justice Hilliard says the sentencing hearing will resume at midday tomorrow.
Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
There is a gasp, from journalists especially, as the judge tells court we will resume at midday tomorrow.
That is when Bush will learn the sentence he will receive for his crimes.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Mr Justice Hilliard explains to the court that he will decide on Bush's sentence, but parliament decides how much of that sentence he will serve.
He says: "I think all I can say is the current position is half. There was a proposal for it be changed but that’s been paused.
"I can't tell the defendant more than that because I don’t know."
He also says the Proceeds of Crime Act will be discussed as part of the case, which he explains involves the amount of financial loss Bush's offences have caused.
"Then the defendant has to pay that if he's got the available amount. That’s the process that happens," Hilliard says.
Further statements will be laid out in the hearing as part of this, the judge tells the court.
Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
Judge Mr Justice Hilliard addresses the public gallery, reiterating his role in this case.
Bush is looking up from the dock, staring at the judge - he hasn’t lifted his gaze often in the last three days.
Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
Bush is now back in the dock.
Over the past four days we’ve heard from both prosecution and defence.
It has all been heard by the judge and it has all been relived by the victims and families connected to these crimes.
Now, it’s time for the judge to decide a timeline, when sentencing will happen. When Bush will know his fate.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The judge, Mr Justice Hilliard, has now returned to his seat and the hearing continues.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Warning: this case involves distressing details
James Milligan is the Humberside Police force lead for chemical, radiation and hazardous material and his statement was read to court before the break.
He was deployed to Legacy in March 2024 with a team of five officers.
In his statement he recalls his team's reaction when they discovered the remains of Jasmine Beverley's baby in a bag.
"I remember one of the team saying ‘is this what I think it is?’
"We were all looking at each other in all I can describe as disbelief."
He says the situation "knocked the wind out of my sails" for one of the first times in his life.
“The mood within the team became quite dark, even angry," he adds.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The court has now risen for 15 minutes.
Judge Mr Justice Hilliard has left the room.
Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
There is weeping in the public gallery in this moment.
The graphic description of how bodies and human remains were found at Legacy is difficult to listen to.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Warning: this case involves distressing details
We are now hearing statements from the police officers who investigated the Hessle Road premises.
They are read out in court on their behalf.
Prosecutor Steven Ball says it had a "profound impact on the police investigators who were specially trained to undertake this work".
One officer recalls a bag being opened where they were "shocked to find what was clearly a small human fetus” which read 'baby of Jasmine Beverley'".
The officer's statement reads: "This was by far the most upsetting part of the whole investigation and it still upsets me now."
Another officer described it as "the worst experience of my career".
They say: "Finding the fetus will never leave my thoughts.
“I was disgusted and deeply saddened."
Jessica Lane
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
The prosecution points out these are specially trained officers, but the court hears they were "shocked" at what they found.
“It’s clear just how bad conditions were," reads a statement from officers involved.
“We have done our best to restore dignity and decency to those deprived of it," it continues.
Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
The prosecution is now talking about the effect this investigation has had on police.
We hear more about the discovery of Jasmine Beverley’s baby at Legacy which has been described as the most upsetting part of the investigation.
Beverley is in court today - and is crying at the mention of her son.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The court now hears a statement read on behalf of Valerie Newton.
She says she is "financially out of pocket by £5,198" after taking out funeral plans with Legacy.
The statement reads: "We are now delaying any new thoughts of making funeral plans because this man has placed serious doubts in our minds over the honesty and integrity of funeral companies.
"We are retired and the loss of the money to Robert Bush does have a financial effect on the way we are living.
"Shame on him for doing what he has done."
Jessica Lane
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
We’re hearing statements from people who thought they had bought funeral plans and thought their families were released from the worry of having to pay for funerals once they’d died.
So many are talking about the fact they gave Bush their savings or money from their pensions.
There was a lot of talk yesterday in court about how in comparison, Bush was spending thousands of pounds on motorbikes and jewellery.
"Conning", "robbed" and "cheated" are other words we’re hearing frequently this morning.
Jessica Lane
Reporting from Hull Crown Court
The prosecution continues to read statements out on behalf of people affected by Bush's crimes.
Yesterday, Judge Mr Justice Hilliard said it was important that the court heard from everyone who wanted to have their say.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Barrie Marshall, along with his wife Margaret, paid Robert Bush £5,158 for funeral plans with Legacy.
They have not received a refund.
"We have been left worrying that should one of us pass away, how the one who is left will pay for their funeral.
"I go to bed every night worrying about the financial loss to us.
"We both have a small insurance policy, but these would not cover the cost of a funeral."
Marshall says he also has "sleepless nights" as a result of Bush's actions.
In the statement read to court, he adds: "I’m sure this con man has sorted his finances so that his money cannot be used to pay back his victims.
"He was such a nice man to deal with, yet the truth is he has deceived every one of us."
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
In a statement read to the court Alma Hunter says she had "fully trusted the person I had seen with my money and thought I had a funeral plan in place".
Her statement continues, she had bought the plan with Legacy so that her children did not have to arrange her funeral when she died, but now this was "inevitable".
Hunter has not yet received a refund, despite being in touch with her bank, the court hears.
"It has greatly affected my trust, my finances and how I enjoy my day-to-day life, as I am constantly worrying about the rising costs of funerals for my family, when the time comes that one is needed.
"Robert Bush preyed on innocent and vulnerable people, devastating lives and causing a huge amount of distress," the statement adds.
