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Christopher Phillips Pleads Guilty to Hiding Mother’s Body in Freezer for Years While Spending Her Pension
Phillips admitted keeping his mother’s body in a freezer and defrauding public agencies of her pension, prosecutors said.
On Thursday, April 16, Christopher Phillips, 60, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to preventing the lawful and decent burial of his mother, Sylvia Phillips, 89, and two counts of fraud.
Officers discovered Sylvia's body in a chest freezer at the Porthcawl home on February 17 after a welfare check was requested by her GP practice concerned she had not been heard from.
Phillips admitted failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions and Bridgend Council of his mother's death in 2023, continuing to withdraw pension funds to support personal expenses.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke adjourned sentencing until June 2, remanding Phillips in custody while the defence team seeks a psychiatric report and bank records from both agencies.
An inquest opened on Wednesday, April 15, into Sylvia's death, though the cause remains unknown as criminal investigations continue and further forensic examinations are required.