Christopher Phillips, 60, was arrested following the discovery of his 89-year-old mother Sylvia Phillips’ body in a freezer in a house in Porthcawl in February
A son has admitted storing his mum’s body in a freezer and spending her pension cash.
Christopher Phillips, 60, was arrested following the discovery of his 89-year-old mother Sylvia Phillips’ body in a freezer in a house in Porthcawl on February 17.
He has pleaded guilty to preventing the “lawful and decent” burial of his mother and withdrawing money from her account while not notifying the authorities of her death.
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Following the discovery, a post-mortem examination was carried out at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but a provisional cause of death was not been provided due to the need for further investigations.
Appearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, April 16, Phillips, who wore a green jumper and glasses, entered a guilty plea to preventing a lawful and decent burial, between October 2, 2022, and February 17.
The court was told it was believed Mrs Phillips died in 2023, reported WalesOnline.
The defendant also pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, after failing to disclose to the Department for Work and Pensions and Bridgend Council that his mother had died.
Mrs Phillips’ body was found at an address in Poplar Crescent after a call was made to police about the welfare of a woman.
An inquest opening at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court on Wednesday, April 15, heard it was not yet known how Mrs Phillips died, and the hearing was adjourned to a later date to be fixed.
Coroner’s officer Joanne Webb told the hearing that a post mortem was carried out at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, but a provisional cause of death has not been provided as further investigations are needed.
Defence barrister Ruth Smith said her client had entered a basis of plea and asked for sentencing to be adjourned for a psychiatric report to be carried out. The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke adjourned Phillips’ sentencing until June 2.
At the time of the arrest a South Wales Police spokesperson said: “South Wales Police attended an address on Poplar Crescent, Porthcawl at 1:45pm on Tuesday, February 17 after a call concerning the welfare of a woman.
“A woman in her 80s from Porthcawl was found dead within the property. Christopher Phillips, 60, from Porthcawl has been charged with preventing a lawful burial. Investigations into the death are on-going.”
