A BUSINESSMAN has been accused of keeping his dead mother in the freezer while he fraudulently used her bank account.
Police found the frozen body of Sylvia, 89, after her son Christopher Phillips, 60, allegedly stopped her from having a proper burial.
The company director has also been accused of fraud after allegedly using his mother’s bank accounts after her death.
Police descended on Poplar Crescent in Porthcawl, South Wales, following concerns about the welfare of Sylvia, a retired company secretary.
Phillips appeared at Cardiff Crown Court and was charged with preventing a lawful and decent burial and fraud by false representation.
He was dressed in a prison issue grey sweatshirt and spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Phillips was asked not to enter a plea as there were prosecution documents which needed to be finalised.
Judge Vanessa Francis told him: “I’m not asking you to enter pleas today as I think there is more everyone needs to know and understand about this case.”
She said that Phillips’ legal team needed to know “exactly what you are accused of doing.”
The Judge said that “the way in which the case is being put is so unclear”.
Phillips has been remanded in custody until his next hearing in April.
A force spokesman previously 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.
“Investigations into the death are on-going.”
