Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Mr Justice Hilliard says Legacy's premises on Hessle Road "were in an appalling state".

He tells the court: “I have heard from the people who these things happened to, over and over again.

“I have them all very much in mind. Each one.

“What the deceased lacked in dignity is more than made up for in the dignity in which their relatives have conducted themselves on their behalf in these proceedings.”

Phillip Norton
Reporting from outside Hull Crown Court

With media positioned outside, about 30 members of the public can also be seen standing in silence in streets close to Hull Crown Court, awaiting the start of sentencing.

Having covered many cases here, I can’t remember seeing members of the public attending in this way before.

Image source, Phillip Norton/BBC

Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Mr Justice Hilliard says policies in the Birth and Registration Act 1953 "do not appear to have been followed".

He explains: "One part of [a form] should be returned to registrar to confirm where burial or cremation took place.

“I was told the registrar should check for outstanding returns but in all cases here the relevant parts of the forms were never returned to the registrar.

“When there is a non-return, the registrar should contact the general registrar office.

“That did not happen in this case," he adds.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

Bush glances briefly at the judge as he begins his remarks.

The judge thanks people for behaving properly so far, and reminds the gallery that if there is disruption the courtroom will be cleared and the sentencing will continue behind closed doors.

He gives credit to police and victim support services; it's been a long week for many.

As the judge speaks, one man in the public gallery only looks at Bush. His gaze is kept from across the room, unwavering.

Bush is in the position he has adopted for most of the hearing. Head low. Eyes down.

Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

"No sentence I pass can put right the harm the defendant has done, particularly when so many deceased persons and relatives are concerned," the judge says.

He says what Bush has done "had a profound effect on the whole of a close-knit community."

“A considerable amount of trust was put in him,” the judge adds.

“Bush took any and every opportunity in the course of his work dishonestly to enrich himself at the expense of those who used his services," he says.

"He must unfortunately have a heartless side to him too," the judge adds.

Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

"I don’t think I have ever known offences to affect so many people," Mr Justice Hilliard tells the court.

He thanks police, victim support, councils and legal teams "for all the assistance they have given me".

"He offended on what the prosecution have rightly called 'an industrial scale'", he adds. “Mr Wright, for the defence, concedes he has caused anguish and pain on a scale beyond comprehension.”

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

Bush keeps his head low, as families keep looking at him.

The court begins by hearing a statement from two city councils, answering questions the judge had about the process of burials.

The statement reveals that registrars had contacted Bush multiple times regarding his work as a funeral director; there is a loud sigh in reaction.

We're told the current framework relies on trust, and is not designed to regulate the industry - families have been highlighting the need for regulation all week.

The statement says reform is clearly needed. Bush keeps his head low. A couple are crying. Sniffles can be heard.

Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

A joint statement has been read out by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council by prosecution barrister Steven Ball.

It reads: "When someone dies a registrar issues a certificate that allows a cremation or burial to take place.

"Part C comes back afterwards to confirm burial or cremation has taken place.

"If Part C does not come back national guidance says registrars should contact families and ask for more information."

It adds if forms are still outstanding, registrars should have notified the general register office.

"That did not happen," the statement reads in terms of what happened at Legacy.

It adds: "The current framework relies heavily on trust, professional practice and people doing the right thing.

“It is not designed to regulate the funeral sector.

"As councils we stand with the families in calling for reform and registration within funeral sector.”

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

When Robert Bush arrived in the courtroom, you could hear the chains attached to him as he sat down in the dock.

A screen separates him from the area of the courtroom where we're sitting.

All the families turned to face him, many holding their stare.

Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

The fifth day of the sentencing hearing of Robert Bush has begun.

Judge Mr Justice Hilliard has just taken his seat.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

Police and lawyers are in position as we await the judge's arrival.

The police look at the public gallery - where there is not even a whisper of noise - and offer a smile to some.

Boxes of tissues are scattered about the courtroom, I imagine they’ll be used a lot today.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

I'm told there are 80 affected family members inside Hull Crown Court today, and a further 150 watching on a video link at the MKM Stadium at Anlaby Road in the city.

The clerk tells the court filming by the media will take place, but reminds others they cannot film and to remain silent.

As the bell outside chimes it's silent in the courtroom; the crowd is waiting for the judge to arrive.

You could hear a pin drop - it feels like we’re moments away from sentencing.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

There’s been a sombre mood in court all week, but today feels different - as though we're on the edge.

For many, it's the culmination of years of pain adding into today's mix of emotions.

The public are asked to switch their phones off or silence them.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

As I walk into courtroom four, I notice a line of drinks that I assume people were asked to leave at the door.

The public gallery is packed full, there's not an empty seat.

One member of the press is asked to leave to allow a family member to get inside.

The tension is palpable.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

Bags are now being searched as people enter the courtroom.

Staff are asking for anyone who has read their statement in court to go inside - this seems to be the criteria for deciding who to let in.

It's shoulder to shoulder as we wait, and some are standing on their tip-toes trying to catch a glimpse of the room inside.

One journalist remarks they’ve never seen such a queue to get into court.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

Emotion is evident in those waiting to see Bush sentenced today.

One woman holds a tissue as she is crying, before the hearing begins.

Tension is high within the lobby, it’s been growing all morning but it seems to be hitting a pinnacle now.

Some of the crowd starts to slowly move into the courtroom.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

The crowd of people waiting is heaving outside courtroom four.

So much so the press have been asked to move away to allow court staff to control the crowd.

There are angry faces among those waiting to get inside the room, and some people are holding hands.

I can barely see the doors to the courtroom over the growing crowd in front of me.

Next to me are a family, nervous they’ll not be let inside due to numbers - but determined to be in the room.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

People have been asked to step back from the doors of court room four.

We’re told the crowd is a fire risk.

It gives a sense of how many people are waiting to get inside.

Staff have asked everyone again to move back.

“Guys you need to move back,” one man says to the crowd.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

It’s impossible to say whether all of the people in front of me will get into courtroom four today.

It isn’t the biggest space but everyone here is eager to catch a glimpse of the end of this case, for many it has been a long time coming.

There is chatter that there are only 25 public seats available today. There are about 50 families represented here waiting.

I’m told there is another room available for overspill.

Sarah-May Buccieri
Reporting from Hull Crown Court

The nervous energy is continuing to be felt outside of court.

People waiting here are tapping their fingers, some are clutching coffee cups and others are pacing.

One man and his wife come and ask me when they will open the court doors, he says they want to be in the room.